Character names being used descriptions.

[amirlach]

What is the ruling regarding descriptions of characters who's names you don't know IC?

As an example you witness some short squat armored figure commit some act against your factions goals. Is it apropriate to then describe them as((Gives a suprisingly accurate description of Squinty the Gnome))?

My Suggestion is that Character names not be used in such descriptions unless you already know the Name IC.

A Chacters concept can be very quickly ruined by OCC descriptions like this.


amirlach

[gbbishop]

absolutely! using a characters name with out actually knowing it... is terribly ooc and should never happen, EVER!

if ppl were better at detailing there descriptions under examine. this would be the info you should use... the other option and probly the best way is to simply ask the player to describe them selves.

this topic, i believe, is covered in the sundren rules.

[Kaeldorn]

As long as the name isn't spoken, it is not really OOC. You can grin mischievously at Johnny without knowing his name is Johnny, but you can't say goodbye to him with "Good day, Johnny" under the same circumstances. Descriptions are just that: descriptions. They can as often be made from an all seeing eye perspective as from your character him/herself. The former actually happens more frequently, and personally I prefer that method over the 'I-perspective', because the latter can be awkward to read for other people.

[KimKandor]

I'm a little confused by that, perhaps you could give an example? To me, putting any kind of name in the description of a suspected criminal would be metagaming if firstly you didn't know the persons name yourself and IF thats a big IF anything was acted upon soley from that description.

Example: Johnny the Rat who no one knows hides in a bush and kills a passerby but was spotted doing it. The eye witness then descibes Johnny the Rat by saying "He wore green robes and a brown hood (Johnny the Rat)".

Then after hearing that description players find John with plate mail on and capture him, because they see his floaty name, or perhaps he is standing around and tells them his name and they capture him, or they follow him suspiciously in any way. No way should anyone actually know his name or act upon it in any way as I see it.

Is that how you would percieve it? Forgive my denseness

[Fezzik]

Char x walks into camp, again, looking the same, in the same armour with the same sneer, punches out poor Ellisar the scroll purchaser for being an elf.

5 people witness it and have seen said person many times before, wearing the SAME stuff with the Same sneer etc.

I don't think in that case it's OOC to say "Did you see that guy, he looked like," *describes Char x * "He punched out that elf for no reason!"

"Yeah, I think I know who you're talking about, don't know his name, but what a jerk!"

NOW, if Char x is smart and has disguises and what not, then you should describe what he looks like in that disguise, and not bother to use his name in the description.

Most people seem to have common sense about this... at least from my experience.

I know most of the members of the Veritas, and I'm not one; why? because they've been present at various times. Did I let it influence me? Lordy I hope not ICly; my main char was flabbergasted when a former cellmate and good friend was found to be one. She's unmasked one member, but she hasn't seen that person in ages. Besides that, she has more important things to worry about that a band of misguided rebels

[Kaeldorn]

Ahh.. you meant ICly describing another with in-character speech, and then adding someone's name after that OOCly? Yeah that's a little dubious.

I was under the impression you meant using another's name in descriptions of your own character's actions without ICly knowing the name. Such as..

Jacob watches Johnny walk off into the distance.

[Phantom Lamb]

It shouldn't be done, even OOCly.

Let's say Joe robs Sally. Sally then goes to Albert, Bill, and Connie at the campfire. she says, "I just lost all my gold! I was robbed on the roadside. It was a man in a black cloak... *describes Joe*"

One big problem is, Albert, Bill, and Connie may have never met Joe. Suddenly, their first impression upon seeing him is he's a robber. It's very, very hard for even experienced roleplayers to ignore OOC knowledge when they encounter people. Their natural tendancies toward interacting with Joe would change, and they'd likely act with higher suspicion than normal.

So, please don't do it. Just describe race, sex, clothes, skin color, etc. If you see the person, you can point him out to others and say "There he is! *points at Joe*" But otherwise, don't do it. The metagaming police will not be happy if you do!

[TheBlankStare]

Can I become a member of the Metagaming Police? It seems like a really fun job. :P

[amirlach]

One of my first characters i played onlie was an information gathering type who used this sort of description in a report. My leader being a much more seasoned Role Player quickly corrected this, even though he could have used the information to advantage.

I then began to find better and more imaginitive ways to describe people. I also found i had to spend more time spying, which led to more interactions with the other players. Which in the end is one of the best parts of the game.


amirlach

[DireBadgerEntersRage]

I think using character's name in description even without actually naming him is a bad idea, it sort of eliminates mistakes and makes everyone able to give the most accurate descriptions and to recognize everyone at first glance. Try "A guy in green cloak with black hair and a longbow" instead of *describes Joe* and then see how your friends will go mistakingly after every guy with black hair and green cloak. Don't strip yourself and others of RP opportunities!

[Azulfae]

Lol, this thread is great.

[TheBlankStare]

I think using character's name in description even without actually naming him is a bad idea, it sort of eliminates mistakes and makes everyone able to give the most accurate descriptions and to recognize everyone at first glance. Try "A guy in green cloak with black hair and a longbow" instead of *describes Joe* and then see how your friends will go mistakingly after every guy with black hair and green cloak. Don't strip yourself and others of RP opportunities!

Better yet:

"She's kind of small . . . even for a hin. Got some brownish hair on her head and unnatural talent for keepin' her nose in a book and the rest of her behind the biggest nice guy in the area. Doesn't say much but when she does she's got a lot of trouble gettin' her words ta fit together just right. I think I saw her with a cat one afternoon . . ."

[Cornuto]

"Can you describe the perpetrator?"

"Well... not much was known about her history. She was a closed book to even those who lived in her home village... "

[Kaeldorn]

"Can you describe the perpetrator?"

"Well... not much was known about her history. She was a closed book to even those who lived in her home village... "

Haha, epic!

[Verrath]

Hehehe, oddly enough, soooo many people fit that description. Wonder why that is.

Seriously, I love reading descriptions that say more than *RP for info* - or the standard message. I know there are a few out there that are really original and make you want to know about the character, and the best ones are only a few sentences long.

"This elf looks at you with open mistrust in his eyes, a shock of unkempt hair nearly covering them. His coat and breeches fit poorly, looking to be of fine cut but in very poor condition. You wonder where he found the finely crafted blade strapped across his back."