Stop writing item stats in the marketplace

[Merrick3]

It would be more interesting if people would explain items or just handle this all IC. I don't see the reason for the OOC descriptions when IC descriptions would be more interesting to read.

Seems like it could be kind of metagaming around the Lore, Spellcraft and Appraise skills as well, should your character not know any of these things. I've seen lots of people do this. I'd wonder if people would rather all together forbid this because of that. Hypothetically I imagine my character with low knowledge skills not really knowing what certain things do without having it explained to him by someone else that does.

Maybe I'm wrong about this second paragraph, perhaps we just assume after something is identified it would imply that the identifier explained it, though this happens infrequently, so overall it's best to just ignore it due to the limitations in game.

[Pentaxius]

This is a matter of personal preference.

To me, it seems it would just give yet another personal advantage to veterans who are accustomed to said items and can infer their stats based on experience with the game's loot tables.

Mark the stats with a spoiler tag, or write it in black to require highlighting - If you do not wish to spoil other people who might wish to see for themselves, which is what I do.

Also, descriptions I read about items - when they try to be precise, tend to feel quite OOC unless they are very well done. For instance ''A powerful helmet inscribed with potent wards that can cause the wearer to be surrounded by a shield of energy fifteen times'' sounds rather bland.

I'd enjoy reading the following much more :

[tface=fellSC][SIZE="5"]Sentinel's Visor [/SIZE]

A great helm forged with steel salvaged from an ancient Iron golem. It is said that only those who abide with strict rigor to a code of conduct or procedures can support the rhythmic, creaking noises of the Visor's loose platings without succumbing to madness. [/tface]
[hide=Stats]+1 Deflection AC, fifteen charges of Shield (CL3) UOB : Lawful[/hide]

What would be really interesting would be the history of a relic. How it was found, who created it, etc - this would surely garner my attention in a positive, immersive way. Alas, said items are rarely to be found on the marketplace. An alternative is to just be creative, and make up a story for said item.

Just my opinion.

[Merrick3]

It seems like it stifles people doing things in game, meeting people they otherwise wouldn't have in a sort of metagaming way. Being skillfully persuasive or deceptive would apply as you said about the powerful helmet.  This was part of my issue that I didn't articulate in the first post. Character A would likely never visit the shop of Character B because Character A has OOC knowledge of the exact OOC stats of every item for sale.

Not my intent to be critical of anyone in specific, you are all interesting and good players, I do wonder if it's better without it. As I said, the knowledge system is convulted already due to NWN item idenfication.

[putrid_plum]

Well, this is a game and it has limitations.  Once an item is identified it shows stats so you can see them if you inspect the item anyways.  Why not just roleplay that you DON'T know the stats of the item even if you do?  I don't see what's stopping anyone from that?  The door swings both ways and really this is such a minor issue, since most scripted loot is circulated enough that in time you'll likely know it all, mostly.

Just my own opinion here.

[Inquisitor]

Showing stats just make things simpler. It's really just the difference of people starting to say "Simple" for +1, "Moderate" for +2, "Impressive" for +3, and "YoGabaGaba" for +4.

People will just work out another method to explain stats, and it'll likely get just as annoying.

[Pup]

I would have to echo Putrid Plum in that I think "not knowing" what an item does falls on the consumer, not the merchant.  The stats are clearly displayed and the real responsibility in an RP sense is on the consumer.  You're free to try and bluff an item's abilities but whether or not the other player plays along is entirely on them.  Plus, not stating what an item does in an ad post is just hamstringing your own effort.  I know personally I'm not gonna seek out a merchant just to examine an item I may or may not want.  If they're set up in the market, sure.  But an ad post without stats (unless brilliantly done) is not going to get me to go seek them out.

If you really feel strongly about this I suggest making a merchant char and rock your idea.

[Chris a gogo]

For myself if im looking for an item to buy it's mechanic's that i care about not the glowing description.
If as a player you want to give vague answers to such questions as what does it do? thats your call.
When i look at sales i look for items that would help my character and i want to do that fast not having to read a wall of text to describe what can be written in 2 lines as i much prefer to be ingame than reading pages of nice descriptions then trying to guess what it in fact does.

But that said having it underneath as a spoiler works to :)

[HalflingPower]

Im going to keep posting my +4 posters of item stats 4everyoloswag

[John Doe]

It is a forum designed to make things simpler for us, like the letter forum is. Roleplay does not end outside the server, but in the spirit of making communication a little simpler it does not bother me to see stats. At all. It's highly preferable if you ask me. Roleplay it as you like IG after that.

[el groso]

Of course, erase all OOC stat references IG too ...

[Kotenku]

I only look at the Marketplace to see what ridiculous loot people are trying to get rid of anyway,
please don't take this away from me it's all i have

[Winston Martin]

This sort of bugs me too as it is tacky but not a big deal if you do not want to be a classy sort of fellow and would instead prefer to wallow in your wretched trash hovel rp like halflingpower.

[VonCarstein]

I would agree with wm to an extent tbh, I'd like to see more of a divide between actual merchants and the adventuring bulk instead of these solldiers or crusaders peddling wares for quick coin in their spare time.

[Pigadig]

Quick coin is the best coin.

[HalflingPower]

Living the dream