Nobody wants to read 20 pages worth of what a character looks like and what he/she is wearing. Although the players themselves might think the immense detail their clothing has is really cool, the rest of us want to shoot ourselves when reading that. After about 7 lines you will mostly likely give up anyway. So yeah, it's such a waste. And a bother.
Detail in your clothes.
Details in your appreance.
Details in how you pose, and act.
They are the glue that bind the bits of whole cloth we've taken to create our characters from.
How many badass solos are out there?
Lots, right?
What sets them apart?
Details.
So before you bash folks who have thought through those basic details that describe the first impression the character makes to the world, make sure you understand -why- they exist.
And to paraphrase a few ideas together ...
If you don't like it, read it once, and then don't bother looking again.
(Edited by Tylissa at 2:21 am on Mar. 31, 2003)
detials such as mannerismes and physical characteristics, the state of someones clothing, what -type- of clothing they have, scars, wounds, dirt or lack of, accesories, slings, holsters, etc etc...
if done right, that -all- can hint at a chars financial, health and mental state. important info to have for RP no?
it's not all about trenchcoats, @socials and sparring...
(Edited by Bias at 11:32 pm on Mar. 30, 2003)
I don't smile at someone everytime they look at me, and just because someone looks at me, doesn't mean I saw them, so how exactly would I have smiled at them?
This post ofcourse is directed at those persons who put their mannerisms in their descriptions. Naming names would be so uncool, so I won't, you know if your guilty. :)
i guess mannerisms isn't the right word for it then.
i was thinking more about such things as twitches, facial droops, spasms, roaving eyes, teeth grinding ... uhm... i didn't think it was -that- out of place to have those in a description if it's a constant thing. a smile/frown is more of a facial expression.... hrm...
*looks over her description*
Every character description I've ever had has included characteristic mannerisms... a good desc isn't complete without them.
We have a NPC who's description not only says he stutters, but ANOTHER NPC describes him as having a stutter. Of course it's beside the point that when he talks he never has any problem.
My question is: Should this be changed?
He certianly dosn't stutter every time you look at him...
-Kevlar
Mannerisims that describe actions taken in response to something I don't think should be part of a description. RP it.
Mannerisms, such as a nervous tic, constantly shifting gaze, things that occur -constantly-, or at least often enough to occur during the few seconds you look at the person should be included.
Same goes for the stutter, by including it in the desc we know that the person stutters and it becomes part of the character, removing the need to actively portray the stutter in every word the character speaks. Course, that certainly doesn't mean players shouldn't choose to display a mannerism as a constant thread through their actions, I've seen some very powerfully portrayed characters through such techniques, it just means the choice should be there.
Anyhow, I'm rambling and really the only point is that a well written desc can be a powerful tool in the right hands and I think it's well worth sacrificing the boundries of realism for a greater depth in the reality.
Oh, and I'm thirsty. :D G'bye.
