Difference between revisions of "Custom description"

Latest revision as of 18:15, 11 July 2024

A custom description is a description written by a player to describe their own character, an indoors location or an item. Custom descriptions for characters were the first of these to get implemented. They must follow a set of guidelines described below. Building descriptions were implemented later on. Object descriptions were the most recent one of these features to get introduced and it hasn't been enabled for all items yet. The items that can't be described have a special category.

Guidelines for Custom Descriptions

(This has been copied from the game.)

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 dyeing 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 and common sense when using this feature. As summarized by Natso and Piscator on our forum: Describe the physical, and perhaps habitual, details of your character, as though being viewed by an unbiased stranger. As a rule of thumb, don`t put anything in there you wouldn't emote.

You can report descriptions in violation of these guidelines with the button provided.

Building descriptions

Building descriptions are entered by clicking a button on the location page while you're inside. The button isn't available in outdoors locations or in vehicles.

There's a short explanation about what is and isn't allowed:

"Please note that buildings descriptions should include only features or details which can exist or be supported by game options. These may include architectural details or decoration, placement of furniture, etc.They should not contain references to any objects that are not buildable, or are otherwise incompatible with game functions. Remember that information about a description's author is stored in the database and inappropriate ones can be reported using the [!] button."

Object descriptions

Main article: Object descriptions.

Starting a describing (modifying) project is started by clicking on a scissors icon of an associated tool. You can also enter a description when you're first starting a project to manufacture something.

Object descriptions have a max length of 320 characters.