Facets of OOC vs. IC

[Elenthis]

In some of my recent role-plays, I discovered a few things about the way some people role-play. One thing is reading TONS of FR novels, and knowing a great deal of the lore of FR. I would like, however, to bring fourth a thought. Would your character know that much?
I have read a few FR novels, and consider myself a long-time player of Forgotten kingdoms, but I only know about 3% of everything there is to know about FR. Unfortunately sometimes players are blind-sided with information thier character -should- know but thier player doesnt. Of course there are many ways to deal with that, but one possible way is to fill them in. Simply take it as a normal person would have in that time-period. Remember that some people have very little time to spend on such things as books (Especially when they are trying to finish every starwars book ever written). Any other thoughts on this subject, and how to avoid devastating repricussions to such lack-of-knowledge?

~Elenthis.

[Kirkus]

I have run into this many times and there are two things I would suggest. First don't be afraid to ask. If the person you are dealing with brings something up you are unfamiliar with but think your character would know then ask oocly. The other characters player might know and be able to give explanations, hints, suggestions some sort of help. My second would be to go out and buy the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting. It is well worth the price. And if you can't afford it, resort back to asking.

[Dalvyn]

Just my personal opinion. Players who do not know anything (or less than those who spend most of their time reading books) about the Forgotten Realms should be welcome and helped as much as possible. It should always be an option to use OOC communication to ask for information about something you do not know. That is actually the best way to get more familiar with the setting and a good way to improve your roleplay.

And you shouldn't base your roleplay on the fact that the other character's player does not know everything there is to know about FR lore either. For example: in my opinion, you shouldn't mock a character ICly because of an OOC "lack" of knowledge; and you shouldn't turn an OOC lack of knowledge into something IC either.

That being said, I have two "pet peeves" related to this topic.

The first one is in contradiction with what I said above. There is a situation where, in my opinion, you SHOULD have a (more or less complete) knowledge of FR lore. And that is when you play a very faithful character (that means all priests and paladins). If you choose to play such a character, you should (in my opinion) know enough about the deity you chose. I'm not talking about knowing all the very fine details of the ethos, but about generalities. Priests of Kelemvor happily raising everybody, or would-be priests of Ilmater spending all their time training by killing mobs, are examples of situations where I do not think the lack of knowledge is a good excuse. Then again, that is only for those two classes.

The second pet peeve is about people using web-made or Tolkien-made languages to speak "elvish" or any other language (that is, actually typing non-English words). Language skills are coded and, if I am a GM in Elven, I should perfectly understand what other people say. In this case, I think that knowledge of other languages shouldn't be used repeatedly in roleplay, nor expected from other players. Using such a word here and there, especially in a title, is fine and that can add to the quality of the roleplay, but it shouldn't be done repeatedly. When I play table-top, I use French as "common", but I doubt you would appreciate it if I roleplayed with another French-speaking player, in French, on the Market Square, and pretended that it was common (because, even though your character might be GM in common, you might not understand French).

The usual disclaimer : These are only my opinions and not "rules" or the opinions of the staff.

[Andreas]

I agree with Dalvyn.

Faithful characters (priests & paladins) should have an excellent working knowledge of their own faith. Further, I believe such characters should also be aware of their faith allies and enemies.

I support the OCCASIONAL use of non-English words to add to roleplay. This does not mean chattering away in the Market Square using Elvish dictionaries, but the occasional greeting phrase, parting phrase or title is acceptable to me.

If there's something you, the player, doesn't know, don't be afraid to ask. I know for some, this is your very first encounter with the Forgotten Realms (TM) campaign setting. I've been a fan of the FR setting since it came out and I have a HUGE collection of books on it. However, that doesn't mean that my characters automatically have that knowledge base. Elves are my favourite race and I have a very good working knowledge of FR elves. However, everything about elves that Andreas knows he has learned from other elves in character.

Lastly, I'm always happy to help out other players and supply information about the FR setting. Just drop me a PM or e-mail and I'll do what I can to help you

[Talamar]

I just wanted to add, that I'd be happy to help as well.

There are about 9 novels total I haven't read in the FR Setting. I've, like Andreas, been a huge FR fan since it's inception, and just kinda stayed with it.

I also happen to have damn near all the Dungeons and Dragons books for it, including the Campaign Setting, Players Guide to Faerun, Magic of Faerun, Faiths and Pantheons etc etc.

So, if you have a question, I'd be happy to dive into my pile and see if I can't come up with an answer for ya.

Part of what makes mudding, and roleplaying fun is the sense of camaraderie, and community tha develops, and as long as we continue in that vein, and help each other, it can't get anything but better.

[Exer]

For those who don't know where the old forum is, it can be found here:

http://p066.ezboard.com/bforgottenkingdomsmud

There are a lot of gems to be found and .... read.

[Belose]

What about those whose hometown is Waterdeep? I mean, you grew up there, you know where a lot of things are located.. or at least the general area.. humans usually are at around 17 when they leave the Font...they didn't spend ALL those years in the Font, did they? I've always RPed it as living in certain parts of WD and was sent to learn at the font cause I had apptitude for a specific thing...If your hometown is different, then, yes, they should not know where everything is unless they RP with the maps...

[Kirkus]

The point I think Mystra is trying to make is that not everyone is from Waterdeep. Not every character that starts out in WD was born and raised there. It makes for a very interesting rp to be able to say 'Yeah, Im from Mosstone, down by the Firedrake Bay' or any not WD or ZK or Zazzesspur town that most might not know of off the tops of our heads. Those not from WD arn't going to know every little facit of the town.