basic PC description?

[RIPnogarD]

At character creation, erase the default Bioware text background. Do not put your background there but rather a basic description of what your character looks like.

Is there any way the DM’s can start enforcing this? With not just darkness but fog and rain and such it’s getting so sometimes I cant tell if I’m talking to a gnome or a Halfling and the player has either the generic description or has a completely blank one. Sorry to be the profile police but we should in the least have a ballpark height weight, and unless they are intentionally trying to hide it race and sex would be nice too. If the PC is intentionally trying to hide one of these facts then perhaps it should be stated in the general description “Always hooded or helmed.” Etc…

I mean it’s not like if you are not hooded or helmed that people cant tell what race you are but based on the players video cards and monitors you cant always tell a halfelf from a human or a gnome from a Halfling. Oh, and then there are the players that use an off portraits (not of the correct race) for their PC and make it even more confusing. Is it a gnome or a Halfling? I don’t know because they have an elf picture and no description.

Names are enforced, why not descriptions?

[dragonfire9000]

Seconded.

[Snoteye]

Yes, we can. I'm pretty certain it's not desired, though. Plus, it would require a copy of every localized default description.

[Jayde Moon]

At least removal of the default one.  That annoys the crap out of me.  If someone doesn't feel like taking the time to write at least a short description, I feel less inclined to take the time to RP with them.

[core]

At least removal of the default one.  That annoys the crap out of me.  If someone doesn't feel like taking the time to write at least a short description, I feel less inclined to take the time to RP with them.

Many new players don't write a description or leave the default one. It doesn't mean that they're not worth interacting with!

[sylvyrdragon]

I would think that after the thought put into the character creation, that this would be one of the easier things to do.

I mean you don't have to write a novel...just a BASIC description.

Race
Sex
Eyes
Hair
Build
Noticible traits.

Done.....

My stupid video card does not pick up the little details, often armor is blacked out, or small features are blurred.  Most of the time I can't tell Leathers from chain at a glance.  Now let's add the weather effects.  I could walk right past a "friend" and not know it with out hitting the tab button.

So I would LOVE if people would take the few seconds to put SOMETHING helpful in the description field.

[Jayde Moon]

Many new players don't write a description or leave the default one. It doesn't mean that they're not worth interacting with!

Course that's true.  And I didn't say I wouldn't interact with them.  I'm just less inclined to.  IC the way I play it is that there is nothing that stands out about the character, they're just an average, everyday schlub.  Doesn't mean there can't be some other compelling reason to interact with them.

[Howlando]

This isn't something we're in a position to enforce, but I agree it's definitely desirable. Where would be the best place to put a note reminding players of this?

[RIPnogarD]

[COLOR="Blue"]This[/COLOR], stickied to the ‘Information for new players’ forum perhaps?

[Garem]

In all capital letters. Personal pet peeve of mine.

"My goodness, he looks like nothing!"

I suppose my greatest pet peeve is when there's a LONG history or something that has nothing to do with what ought be there.

Eww. Wow, I'm such a snob!

I maintain my position nonetheless.

[Semli]

Hmm.

~PM for More~


... Seriously though, while descriptions are nice they are hardly worthy of a lot of hassle on the part of the DM, plus after the initial retardedness of opening it you know that you don't really have to look there again.  I'd say just let people have as little information as they want in their profile, because their character's success will ultimately depend on how they are percieved by others.  To be perfectly honest I wish the NWN player client let you edit your character's profile as you went instead of just setting the business in stone.

[sylvyrdragon]

I saw one person that put...RP to find out.

I then IC said, "SO what do you look like?"
The player sent me a tell and asked what I meant.  I explained that his descripton said to RP it out..so I was.

I don't think that player was happy with me.  *shrugs*  I just did what he said.  How do you RP finding out what someone LOOKS like.  I don't want their life history, or even their personality, just what they LOOK LIKE.  should be easy enough.

[9lives]

Also:

Litheness
Buxomness
Amount of Fire visible in Eyes
Percentile of ability to move like Hunting Cat

[Howlando]

New players often don't realize that's a place to put physical appearance, but rather think it's room for biography. They want people to "RP" to find out their character's history, not appearance.

A simple explanation is generally sufficient, and people should never IC'ly "RP finding out what they look like."

[sylvyrdragon]

I promise that person was NOT a new player...

Having been one (recently) I would never do that to them.