*between the asterisks*

[herkamer]

Should the space between the asterisks be limited to observable behavior, such as *he looks around the room then continues prodding the popcorn*? Is it permissable to allow for an omniscient description, such as *he look around the room for something of interest to distract himself from the boredom, then somehow forgetting that he was even bored at all- he continues prodding the popcorn*? If both are acceptable, which shows better RP form?

[EchoMan]

I certainly prefer the former. How would anyone else be able to see what your thoughts are?

[Leo Luncid]

Maybe what matters is not what information is shown, but what the others do in reaction. For example, if a person "*looks around the room for something of interest to distract himself from the boredom, then somehow forgetting that he was even bored at all- he continues prodding the popcorn*," one witness may either use all the omniscient information in his/her reaction (whatever the reaction may be), or attempts to transfer that information into how he/she sees it (from the player of that character, of course). From this, I would say the latter choice, limiting the information to how the witness sees it, promotes better roleplay form.

Thus, in answering your question, the information between the asterisks should be limited to observable behavior, in my opinion.

[the_antisocial_hermit]

They're both acceptable... some prefer the first more, some prefer the second and some are like me and take either with equal preference...

[Talapus]

Another way, is to phrase things such that they appear as thoughts of the other people (mingled with the actions that lead to such thoughts).

*...he look around the room, as if he were searching for something...*

[Thetaris]

Eek, isn't the asterix used for a physical description of an otherwise unviewable event? Such as, *he smiles* which is the most common one, and definately not a thought... Hehehe, unless you think about smiling, ie:
A man in his twenties passes you 10,000 grams of iron
*he thinks about smiling*
A man in his twenties says,: You're not going to thank me?

In a way, it's a way of describing your character so what ever you put in the asterix is okay so long as
a) it's about your character only *he picks up something and smiles*
b) it doesn't describe someone else *he watches her frown at him*
Which could lead to,
OOC: Wait, I didn't frown.
OOC: Yeah, you did, I made you.
OOC: YOU F*** I DIDN'T F****** FROWN! GOT IT!!!! STUPID *****!!

Yeah.......

[EchoMan]

Why not something like: *he look around the room looking utterly bored, then with a sigh of relief starts working on the popcorn*

Then you don't let people know what your thoughts are and you don't tell other people what they think or weigh into your actions. I don't, as a rule of thumb, let people know what I think or what they should think of my actions.

[herkamer]

Good points by everyone. I understand the need to avoid revealing someones thoughts, however I am stuck on the nuances that could be lost if I adhere rigidly to strictly observable behavior. A better example of this grey area is- *he looked lovingly into her eyes*. Aren't there some human mannerisms that can be unmistakable? Or would it be best to leave it at- *he looked into her eyes*? I'll guard my adjectives if I need to, it'll be an interesting challenge, but I do think that some body language is universal and therefore appropriate.

[Leo Luncid]

You know, there are also information between the asterisks that are sent in whispers. What of that?

[Torch]

A better example of this grey area is- *he looked lovingly into her eyes*. Aren't there some human mannerisms that can be unmistakable?

I think you're okay either way, since some people don't care if you put thoughts in there, and many do. I'm a "hard-liner" the other way, meaning I don't think anything not obvious to the outside observer should be included. For example *looks around for a hammer* would be "wrong" (to me, but not as a rule for the game) but *looks around* then "Now where'd I put my hammer?" or something is good, as it's actually what someone would observe. (My opinion only, again.) Even with my opinion, though, I think you're correct - sad, angry, surprised, etc are pretty easy to see if they're strong enough.

As for whispered emotes, I think it depends on what it is. If I'm involved in a discussion off to the side of the main group with someone, they may not see me smile or hear me chuckle or something. If I laugh out loud, or hug someone, or something like that, I usually add it "out of whisper mode" and then continue the conversation privately. That's just me though, and from earlier threads talking about this, I doubt there'll be a consensus.

[SekoETC]

*he thinks about smiling*

Maybe thinks about smiling would reflect into *the corners of his mouth twitch as if he was about to smile*. If there would be just the beginning of that emote, people could take it as a sign of disgust when in real life there wouldn't make such a mixup.

As for *he looks around as if searching for something* is rather clear, but *looks around looking for the hammer* is something that wouldn't actually be clear to the others unless he also finds the hammer on the same turn.

[formerly known as hf]

I hate it when people put thoughts and/or feelings in between asterisks

I can't read another person thoughts, and I'm not truly 100% emphatic, and so, I assume, neither are cantrians

If you saw someone looking arund a room, you'd probably ask them what they are looking for. So it shouldn't be described as part fo the *--*

As for the grey area described, that's about how much you use your adjectives. *he gazes lovingly* is similar to *she runs lightly on her feet* - lovingly and lightly are both adjectives, so I would have no problem with them

[SekoETC]

But it's annoying when if you *frown*, people ask why are you frowning. Why not asking "Is there something wrong?"

[Songthrush]

The stuff you see between the stars should not be presumed to be something your character sees. It's just a convention for the other player to communicate something to you about their character, something that is not expressible in the game proper.

[formerly known as hf]

But you shouldn;t be able to communicate thoughts, or feelings directly - unless Cantrians are full telepaths and empaths?