Custom Descriptions

[EchoMan]

And also I was trying to use a javascript to show how many characters you have left because not like anyone would use Word or something if they were concerned about their text getting truncated, but it doesn't seem to work. I don't know why, I did it like the example says but it does nothing. But since the private description box also has a max length that's just not revealed to the user, I guess it could be left out, it would just be a bad user interface.

I think I have a working script like that somewhere. I could look for it. There should always be a warning when characters are exceeded in text-area elements imho.

[SekoETC]

It's still pretty weird that I wrote/copypasted stuff like the example said and it still didn't work. I wonder if it was because the js file wasn't linked to in the header but in the body, although it was like that in the example as well. I was just thinking, it might be good to implement this in stages so that first you can just add and edit your description, but it wouldn't be visible to others yet. That way several characters would have a description ready to roll when the display is implemented, and it would also give a chance to check that the PD report gets sent and is readable before anything potentially offensive is shown to other users.

[Doug R.]

That's a good idea, Seko. How hard will it be to integrate character description and alteration into the PD's tools? I'd like this to be working before we go visible also.

[SekoETC]

I took a look at it earlier today and looks like that part should be easy. But I can only finish it when I go back to my own place (I'm at my parents now).

[Doug R.]

Cool beans.

[SekoETC]

Oh hey, we could also include an access right for being allowed to describe one's own characters, that way you could also remove the right from players who abuse it.

[Doug R.]

I don't know how you keep making this better, but you do. Good thinking.

[Doug R.]

Rough Draft of Custom Description Guidelines:

The character custom description box is provided as a convenient means for players to relay character information to other characters in their location. Use of this box is a privilege, and can be revoked by the Players Department if abused.

Allowable information:

-Character's body attributes (height, girth, hair color, scars, etc)
-Greater detail of clothing or jewelry (her boots are unlaced, his sleeves are rolled up, etc)

Information that is not allowed:

-Anything that breaks the CR
-Anything that can be contradicted by the game mechanics (wearing clothing you don't own, etc)
-Exploitation for the purpose of invisible communication between characters (descriptions are logged)

Grey areas:

-Things that can be contradicted by character actions. It would be wrong to put that your character is sleeping under a bush when they're active. If you do this, you need to be vigilant about updating your descriptions as necessary.

-Things that can be contradicted by future implementations. Mechanics always trump RP, so if your character puts in their description that they have a tattoo, and tattoos are later implemented, they would need to get a real tattoo to justify the description. The best way to judge if something will be implemented or not would be to check the suggestions forum (be sure to do a search first before posting again). If you do choose to risk descriptions like tattoos, etc, the gaining of said attributes should be role-played, not magically endowed.

Please exercise good judgment when using this feature. You can report descriptions in violation of these guidelines with the button provided.

[SekoETC]

Oh, great, I was just going to ask for that. Most of the stuff has been implemented in the test environment, including PD ability to change other people's descriptions and detection and logging for unauthorized attempts to change other people's descriptions. So the guidelines page would be the next thing to implement. Currently no one is allowed to edit their own descriptions in the test environment, but the rights can be added just like other access rights.

[Doug R.]

If I understand correctly, you piggy-backed those rights with the account locking rights? If so, that should be fine I think.

[SekoETC]

Well, first I did that but since you could view the descriptions anyway, I just made it so that if you can view players database, you could also mod descriptions. I can change it if you'd prefer.

[KVZ]

Rough Draft of Custom Description Guidelines:

...Allowable information:

-Character's body attributes (height, girth, hair color, scars, etc)
-Greater detail of clothing or jewelry (her boots are unlaced, his sleeves are rolled up, etc)

Information that is not allowed:

-Anything that breaks the CR
-Anything that can be contradicted by the game mechanics (wearing clothing you don't own, etc)
-Exploitation for the purpose of invisible communication between characters (descriptions are logged)...

I have one question. Would it be allowed to say someone that for example when his sleeves are rolled up it is secret signal for not verbal communication about attack, or something like that? In my opinion it should be allowed to make more RP possibilities.

[Doug R.]

In your example, the character should role-play rolling up their sleeves for everyone to see before they change their description. If he doesn't want this action noticed, he should go inside, then roll up his sleeves, then come out. What we want to avoid with this is invisible action.

[Doug R.]

The character custom description box is provided as a convenient means for players to relay character information to other characters in their location. Use of this box is a privilege, and can be revoked by the Players Department if abused.

Allowable information:

-Character's body attributes (height, girth, hair color, scars, etc)
-Greater detail of clothing or jewelry (her boots are unlaced, his sleeves are rolled up, etc)

Information/behavior that is not allowed:

-Anything that breaks the CR
-Anything that can be contradicted by the game mechanics (wearing clothing you don't own, etc)
-Exploitation for the purpose of invisible communication between characters (descriptions are logged)
-Unrealistic changing of attributes (red haired man robs town, changes hair to blue after escaping to avoid identification without role-playing a dying process, etc.)

Grey areas:

-Things that can be contradicted by character actions. It would be wrong to put that your character is sleeping under a bush when they're active. If you do this, you need to be vigilant about updating your descriptions as necessary.

-Things that can be contradicted by future implementations. Mechanics always trump RP, so if your character puts in their description that they have a tattoo, and tattoos are later implemented, they would need to get a real tattoo to justify the description. The best way to judge if something will be implemented or not would be to check the suggestions forum (be sure to do a search first before posting again). If you do choose to risk descriptions like tattoos, etc, the gaining of said attributes should be role-played, not magically endowed.

Please exercise good judgment when using this feature. You can report descriptions in violation of these guidelines with the button provided.

[Piscator]

In your example, the character should role-play rolling up their sleeves for everyone to see before they change their description. If he doesn't want this action noticed, he should go inside, then roll up his sleeves, then come out. What we want to avoid with this is invisible action.

Hmm... well, if a group agrees on a certain secret signal to start an attack, it doesn't seem fair to demand that they draw attention on it by explicitly writing about it. In RL you would hardly notice if someone rolled up his sleeves or not unless you expect him to do it. Writing something like "He screams:'Attack! Attack!'" in his description would be something different, but performing hidden actions in this way should be okay if the action would be hidden anyway. If no message is generated for putting up a new hat, why shouldn't you be able to roll up your sleeves?