Cover Description Character Limit

[I will never sleep]

So I was redoing my descriptions earlier today and I ran into this:



So I had to write a regular description and then another (less detailed) description for when they have their hood up, even though I didn't really want to. Why does this restriction even exist? It seems to me like it's just strangling character creativity rather than enabling it.

I'd like to discuss the cover system and what the purpose ultimately is. I get that there is a sentiment to make people put more thought into their disguise rather than just blanking their description and putting on a throw-away name, but this to me just seems to be encouraging that behavior. Even if someone is ~covered- there's still a lot you could glean about them from a glance. More than 500 characters for some, surely.

[Security_Blanket]

I like to use my cover description as part of my main description, the only thing concealed while "covered" is his face. But other things would be visible like a pin if he wore one, outfit being worn. But with only 500 characters to work with I was forced to chop that cover description in half.

[Skibbles]

Unless a dev/dm chimes in this thread will probably be pretty subjective.

Personally I wish there were character limits on all descriptions, though certainly more than 500 for the uncovered character.

I'm a firm believer in: the longer the description, the less likely someone will read it - making long descriptions, while more detailed, ultimately less effective.

Again, personally, I also think the most critical elements of a character's 'description' need to be continually highlighted with emotes and/or speech in game rather than in the examine window.

As far as cover goes I guess it probably has to do with the anonymous 'passing glance' style of play that it seems to revolve around.

[I will never sleep]

I'm a firm believer in: the longer the description, the less likely someone will read it - making long descriptions, while more detailed, ultimately less effective.

I absolutely agree. I'm a firm believer that less is more on Arelith and that a picture painted with fewer words is generally clearer than going into excruciating detail.

But despite having that philosophy, I despise this restriction. I don't think it encourages people putting effort into their "cover" or disguises, just the reverse.

[Skibbles]

Fair enough - though I doubt it either encourages nor discourages it. I'd expect people will do it, or not, based on their usual preference.

[Edens_Fall]

Wait!?

You can have a disguised description AND a covered description!!!!

[Inordinate]

Wait!?

You can have a disguised description AND a covered description!!!!

http://wiki.nwnarelith.com/Description# ... escription

[Edens_Fall]

*hugs*