There's something I want to address in the Elder Scrolls fandom, specifically in the Morrowind community & the fandom's consistent designs of Vivec.
I want to make it very clear right off the bat that Vivec is *canonly* intersex. I, as an intersex person, am thrilled by this.
I absolutely adore Vivec as a character for that (and many other reasons obv), and with the huge lack of intersex representation in media, learning about a canonized intersex character in a series that I love & cherish makes me very happy. Especially when that character is an essential NPC & super important to the plot! that's awesome!
However, I've noticed a lot of people design Vivec to have breasts. Not a problem! I like it a lot, actually- it brings me great euphoria because that adds to the amazing representation, specifically in a personal standpoint. However, I'm starting to think the intention of this has less to do with representation, and more to do with fetishization & sexualization.
Vivec is a very sensual character- there's a book in the game of Morrowind that has details of an orgy he was involved in. Vivec being put in a sexualized light isn't new, however, it's something that he himself wanted to be put out there. Vivec being intersex is something he doesn't seem to make a big deal. That's made especially apparent with the fact he changed his name from "Vehk" to "Vivec", implying a dead name of sorts. Something that's not put out there by himself, is him having breasts. He may have in the past, but Vivec in canon doesn't have visible breasts. If he had them before, he has changed his form to not have them anymore. The idea of adding them to Vivec after-godhood doesn't sit well with me. It doesn't feel like something Vivec himself would be comfortable with. Vivec is a character who, if he's not pleased with something, will make it very apparent (such as you entering his presence uninvited & him telling you as such, and that you should leave). If Vivec was comfortable having his chest in such a way, I think he would definitely rock it.
And the thing is: I'm seeing a lot of non-intersex people making this headcanon of Vivec with boobs in their art. Like- it especially doesn't sit well with me when cis people illustrate it! Regardless, I've noticed that a lot of intersex people have been fetishized by both the trans community & cis people, and I feel like it's seeping into Vivec's design. I haven't seen anyone bring this up but as an intersex person myself, I feel like the intentions of Vivec's design is being lost to the sexualization of him visually.
