basic PC description?

[Jayde Moon]

Everyone who posted in this thread gives a shit one way or the other, it seems.

[monet]

Well, on the server I first played on we were encouraged not to use them because so many people would write metagamey paragraphs that tried to force RP on you (like "this person strikes fear in your heart" and "you find this woman strikingly beautiful").  Or would give background information that you really should be finding out through conversation.

So I got out of the habit and didn't know it mattered so much here (house rules are so crazy different everywhere..!)  So please don't ignore me for that and I'll do better if I make another character.  I promise.

Also..  On yet another server I play on, Arelith, they allow you to change your description later on.  Is that something that could be possible to do here?  After all your character goes through so many changes in their lifespan that what you initially wrote often doesn't apply any more five or ten or more levels later.

[TooCuteForComfort]

Aw, I'm sorry, shoulda made myself more clear..
 
If a description-less (or worse still, NWN-standard-descriptiony) character would approach me and talk to me or do something else that would draw my attention as normal, I would of course not blatantly ignore them! I can remember cases, admittedly only very few, where I have been deeply impressed by such players, but the thing is, and you can think of me as you want, this won't change, I feel LESS inclined, myself, to interact with those characters if I have a choice to talk to this other character who has a description that allows me to find an easier way to start with them like, say, "Whoah.. is that a fruit tree sticking out of your forehead..? Can I take a bite?" (I'm exagerating of course. You get the idea.)
Why is that? Well, in the past, I often times tried to show them the ropes or explain things as they're often times new, as it had been said before, just, it's not happened all that often that they actually appreciated this very much.. :<
 
Oh, but.. if you ever saw how a looot of established player almost literally pile on to a PC who is obviously new, smothering them with their helpful advices and little gifts, here, you'll understand why I'm not feeling guilty for not ALWAYS helping them with everything I can.
 
Plus there's one more thing. I have been doing this RP kinda thing for a pretty long while and I can still remember that the first time I around, the first thing I did was getting rid of that standard description here and using my own and I was like, uh.. well doesn't matter, I just strongly doubt it is all that hard to fill in something at least.
Forgive my snobbiness.. :3
 
(Oh but I guess it's still nice to have more "neutral" descriptions, as monet's examples show, like, WHYYY is you striking fear into my li'l heart, WHAT makes this woman so strikingly beautiful?)

[erglion]

One thing I would like to add to this discussion, is the suggestion that people put down their subrace or perhaps region of origin for humans.  Particularly subrace since there is a big difference between wood elf and sun elf, for example.

As for where to add this info, what about a "new character checklist" at some point.  I'm undecided whether it should be a journal entry or on the forums, maybe a journal entry with directions to the forum.  The checklist can include a number of recommendations before you finally jump in, such as:

- did you pick a valid deity?
- do you have an acceptable name?
- did you write an adequate description?
etc.

with descriptions of what 'valid', 'acceptable', and 'adequate' refer too.  Again, these would only be suggestions, and if put into the journal then they aren't really interfering with players (new or old) that just want to jump into the gameworld.

[Luke Danger]

IMO, a character discription should be, in three short paragraphs,

Paragraph 1: A basic description of the body in general. (Keep your STR, CON, and CHA in mind)
Paragraph 2: Some more details, such as eye color, and occasionally some personality traits that are easy to notice
Paragraph 3: Some visual clues to their stats, for example, a strong body might be STR 16-18, while a 8 INT might be 'looks simple minded'

Granted, you may disagree, but I beleive it's a good idea to do so.

[Cluckyx]

- did you pick a valid deity?
- do you have an acceptable name?
- did you write an adequate description?

The differrence between the first one and the latter two. Is that currently the first one is the only one changable in game. Unless they script it in. Having an unacceptable name or description means completely rerolling the char.

[Letsplayforfun]

I'm not really sure basic description matters, as it has a tendancy to change over time. Hairs grow long, delicate skins get torn apart, etc.

Most people end up wearing helms, anyways. Some even need disguises, and that little name floating over their head + a personnalized descriptions doesn't help.

Basically, what you see is what you get. As for "seeing the pain of years of suffering in one's eyes"... who'd look deep enough, you know?

Last, if if you can't tell the differencer between a gnome or a hin, or a male or a female, you'll get someone else either laughing or angry IC, and that's a good rp opportunity.

[Thomas_Not_very_wise]

I refrained from taking part in this discussion but let me tell you now so you know.

We've all been talking about descriptions and complaining about those who don't have one, however, I complain about people who have to frigging long ones! (VALARON SUNNULLAR I SEE YOU) So moderation is something to be desired! Keep your bio one to three paragraphs or I won't read it. In fact, I often don't read Bios because I expect people to RP their charisma correctly and accordingly. If I see someone subservient, I am going to treat them like it. The only thing I tend to put in bios is a general outline of the characters and what people can make of his personality from a distance. Also, don't go to much into detail since these characters are often, living breathing personality representations from yourself. Your greedy nature, your stern nature, your chaotic evil alter ego, to your inner paladin. However, this -can- change. You can put in your bio saying, "His skin is flawless and without blemish," but then, I could walk along and ruin your pretty little skin.
A better way to put it would be, "His skin appears to be without flaw or blemish." This way you are giving the opportunity to change the description of your character.

To those who don't put in a bio, I can perhaps say that they didn't wish to go through the trouble of writing a descriptive biography and suddenly have it turned upside down, trust me, it has happened to me before. Sometimes people make long winded, arsed emotes to describe changes in character behavior that in the end, conflicts with the biography of the character. Biographic notes that cannot be seen such as, "She has no tongue," Doesn't mean your character knows, and if she indeed is speaking, you can assume something has changed to let her speak. Do not assume everything in your bio is fact.

If you are a well developed character and something dramatic has happened to your character, perhaps requesting a remake, or request a DM to change your biography would be in order. But hey, we're just playing a game!

[Lorloth]

... this really sort of auto-moderates itself.

If your descrip is too long, no-one reads it.  Mr Emo with a 10-page description of the exquisite inlaid artwork on his froofy vest can cry himself to sleep that no-one loves him or reads his sappy poetry.  No moderation is required.  None.  People just don't read it because there's simply no time to stop and read anything that long while you're RPing.

If you have no descrip, people don't bounce off of it for RP.  This is your choice.  You can be boring, there is nothing wrong with it.  People will react to it naturally by having nothing to say to you unless you give them something to work with.

... and I'm amazed that this thread has lasted for 3 pages.  A toast to thee, intarwebs. :)

[Jayde Moon]

IMO, a character discription should be, in three short paragraphs,

Paragraph 1: A basic description of the body in general. (Keep your STR, CON, and CHA in mind)
Paragraph 2: Some more details, such as eye color, and occasionally some personality traits that are easy to notice
Paragraph 3: Some visual clues to their stats, for example, a strong body might be STR 16-18, while a 8 INT might be 'looks simple minded'

Granted, you may disagree, but I beleive it's a good idea to do so.

Agree that sometimes bios can get too long.  Breaking it down into parts can be helpful.

I start with stats. Height, weight, eye color.  If that's all people want to read, it's right there at the top, three lines.  Done.  You could add race and sex, I suppose?  Or body type/build, whatever.  But there it is, first thing.

Then I start writing.  And I might write one more paragraph, or I might write TEN more paragraphs.

The first paragraph is gonna have the more noticeable stuff, easy to see.  Later paragraphs will have the stuff you'll notice the more you are looking.  Kind of IC that way.  The longer you spend reading my description, the longer your PC must be looking over my PC, the more information you're probably gleaning from the visual cues.

But yes, the quick and important stuff first.  If I want to write a ten paragraph description, I don't expect ANYONE will read it all when they first meet my PC.  They'll want the basics and ignore the rest.  But I'll might put it there because PCs who get to really know my PC might find themselves with a bit more time to examine my PC closely.

[Daemonic Daz]

Who gives a shit.

[Jasede]

Seen so many people with a good description who were just as fine players as people with a standard or no description that I really don't care anymore.

Also, descriptions where you can tell someone spent a day on them using a thesaurus are less fun than no descriptions, especially when you need a dictionary to read them.

Chances are, when you start calling your ears auricles and your eyes oculars, you're describing too much.

[derfo]

if anything, i find people with default description more deserving of attention in some cases because chances are they won't act as predictably as everyone else and/or are a new player checking out the serv5r

[MrGrendel]

Suggesting no description is better is a step backwards. If you don't like descriptions, or you disapprove of someone's writing style, stop reading.This is just as relevant as the DMs who spend their time adding little details to areas, or interesting descriptions to NPCs and objects. For all of the thoughtful people (and toolsetting DMs) who've described unique aspects of their characters image for those of us who do pay attention to these details, thank you.

[Zip]

He is exceedingly handsome (15+ charisma), yet at the same time, immensely frightening (roll will save to DC 20 to avoid wetting your pants).

I find descriptions are somewhat redundant. I, personally, never gain much from them. I honestly don't care if your chin is well squared, or if your eyes are a beautiful sapphire shade.
Chances are, if you're ugly, you're speaking with a lot of abbreviations and saying feck at every opportunity, and if you're pretty you're well spoken. Rule 1 of roleplaying looks-to-talks-ratio.