Do you have any headcanons for jewelry, accessories, or bodymods the fantasy races might decorate themselves with that differ from humans? (Sending good vibes, feel better soon <3)
Asura who are seen as more "sentimental" will often tattoo their favorite invention(s) patent number(s) onto their body. But it's somewhere that they have to work to show it to you, like pushing up a sleeve or pulling away a collar, that kind of thing. Many asura who have gone to the effort of getting a "patattoo", as it's derisively called by those who think it's not worth it, say it's a mark of trust and mutual respect to show someone where it's located- let alone the inventions marked there.
Sylvari are able to manifest different ornamentation based upon the season of the year or where they are in the world. A sylvari who might be in Cantha in spring could envision themselves adorned with cherry blossoms, while one in Applenook Haven at the same time of year would have more luck if they were to opt for the blooms of the nearby apple trees. It has to do with the locally available pollens. There's rumors that one can also do this by consuming honey from a different region, but that may be Canach's next hustle.
Charr historically decorated themselves with something taken from an enemy kill, but since a lot of former enemies are now allies (cough cough humans) that's seen now as 1) terrifically old-fashioned and 2) very, very impolite and outright hostile to do. If charr are going to wear jewelry, they want something that's going to last and something that represents their warband. There's actually a popular jeweler in the Black Citadel whose entire livelihood comes from making jewelry for the Iron Legion. Ash prefer fiber arts (because no metal clinks means no being heard when they're sneaking up on something). Finally, Blood Legion can be reliably counted on to want items featuring rubies, garnets, or more recently bloodstone.
Finally, norn have highly elaborate tattoos as is, but they also have highly involved marriage rituals involving family jewelry. In order to ask for another's hand in marriage, the two partners must both craft a piece of jewelry for a family member whom their beloved holds in great respect. (It does not have to be a parent! It could be their uncle, a cousin, a grandparent: as long as their significant other would want their blessing upon the union, the jewelry piece can be for them.) It can be made out of any material, but it must feature of blue topaz: previously this was to symbolize the norns' wish to see the defeat of Jormag, now it is commonly said to be the wish to see their ancestral homelands again. As long as both family members accept the gifted pieces (and they usually do) then the wedding may proceed!
(thank you for the good vibes, I'm on two prescriptions so here's hoping I'm back to my usual speed in a few days! <3)
