The Other Side of Lancaster

The Basics

Name: Lancaster / Lanx
Other Names: Sherlock, The Doctor, Vellichor
Pronouns: They/them, it/its, he/him
Age: Early 30s
Queer Identity: Nonbinary, transmasculine. Panromantic/Pansexual.
Alterhuman Identity: Otherkin, fictionkin, plural (OSDD).

My identity is a bit complicated, and I'm always trying to figure things out. I spent a long time worrying about using the right labels and phrases to describe things, and it's always just left me exhausted, not fulfilled. These days, I'm more interested in describing my experiences the way I experience them, instead of trying to force them into neat little boxes. Sometimes, it is what it is.

The Not-So-Basics

Otherkin Identity

Spiritually, I identify as a dragon. Specifically, a western dragon.

I was fairly small - about the length and height of a Norwegian Fjord horse (dragon tail sold seperately). I had white pearlescent scales, two mid-length horns, and wings that were capable of short-term flight and gliding. I was not able to speak with language, but I could hear, and I did frequently communicate with a humanoid race. My claws were not as dextrous as human hands, but I was capable of some basic writing, and "hand" gestures that may have been a type of sign language. I mostly lived in the forest, but I visited at least one settlement of humanoids on a regular basis. This may have been for trade purposes (but also for occasional companionship).

Fictionkin Identity

I identify as The Doctor from Doctor Who. This encompasses all incarnations, though some seem to come through more strongly than others (and sometimes, even this fluctuates). The most intense of those appear to be my 9th, 10th, 14th, and "War Doctor" incarnations. But, with 60+ years of canon to sift through - a process I am still undergoing - it is unclear how divergent from canon my memories, feelings, etc actually are. I suppose this is "Retcons: The Show (Time Lord Edition)" and it's not entirely unexpected.

A note: It may be worth mentioning that I have some complicated feelings about the Timeless Child arc, and about Rose Tyler (especially following the Series 15 Finale). I am still sorting those feelings out. Such is the life of a fictionkin from an actively-ongoing series.

I am also, more tentatively, identifying myself as Sherlock Holmes (BBC Adaptation). I do not currently identify as other adaptations of Sherlock Holmes (including the original character in the Arthur Conan Doyle stories) but this could change. I'm not sure, and I'm not afraid to admit that. That said, I do feel a similar comfort, recognition, and "kin euphoria" indulging in that media because it is still related. I'm rather fond of the ACD stories and other adaptations beyond the BBC series as a fan, too.

Another note: It is still unclear if the Sherlock Situation™ is a fictotype, a plurality thing, some other secret third thing, or even a hybrid of those. See the Overlap/Weird Zone for more details.

The Overlap/Weird Zone

I have a BBC Sherlock OC named Riley Lancaster, who was originally a way for me to write Sherlock fanfiction that put me in the mix. However, over time, this got increasingly more personal, and before long, Lancaster was my vehicle for "test driving" some aspects of my real-world identity. As months passed, the boundary between "me" and "Lanx" became less and less clear, and that trajectory seems to be continuing. I am considering if this is an OC-kin situation or something else but I'm not exactly married to the concept yet either way.

There is also some funky shit going on with my Sherlock identity. I am tentatively calling it a fictotype, but I have some experiences that seem to blur the lines between fictotype, general identity funk, and plurality. I am unsure how this actually works, even less sure how it works in relation to other parts of me. (Example: Lancaster is romantically involved with Sherlock and it appears those feelings very much "made it to launch," as it were. Which means my Lancaster and Sherlock "identity states" are messy as hell.) I do not know how this works but I'm not in a particular rush to figure it all out, either. One step at a time, I guess?

Update (9/1/2026): This is looking more like a plural thing currently, but unsure... Still observing.

Plurality

I'm the host of a plural system (named Parlour Obscura) that consists of at least seven other members besides myself. You can learn more about each of them here.

We consider ourselves a broadly traumagenic system (OSDD) based on our psychiatric history, but where each member specifically came from is something we don't really feel the need to keep track of anymore. At the end of the day, we're all here, and the "why" of our existences doesn't matter so much as the "how." Our priorities have changed over the years and our primary focus has been making sure everyone's needs are met and keeping conflict low (and, thankfully, we have so far been very successful). We mostly consist of fictives.

I (the host) am usually at the front, though it's not uncommon for someone else to be "at the helm" with me. Occasionally, other members front solo, though it doesn't happen much these days. We make use of PluralKit. Our system ID is ldeuk.