The figure in a black leather and steel-grey sandcloth cloak

[Anonymous]

Being misunderstood. But that seems to happen a lot on the GDB.

Merely I was saying there is a sort of duality, not that I particularly am saying "SAYING STEEL IS NOT INCREDIBLY IC BECAUSE THERES VERY LITTLE STEEL."

So the question I pose to you all is, do you find seeing "Steel" on a day to day basis in a world where metal is exceedingly rare, used as an OOC point of reference for color, jarring? Or do you not care in the slightest?

I don't see in this thread how you are being misunderstood.  Some people are saying they do find it somewhat jarring, or at least descriptions along that line and others are saying they don't.  People are just answering the last question posed in your post.  If your point was to determine what people found preferrable you should have ended your post that way.

For me I'd prefer to see Zalanthan terms used for description but it doesn't bother me either way.

[FiveDisgruntledMonkeysWit]

I've never seen an emerald up close, but I still know what color an emerald is, and feel comfortable describing something as "emerald-like" or the "the color of emeralds" without looking like a complete ass.
And, similarly, a Northerner or 'Rinther who's never seen steel in their lives knows what it looks like, either through word of mouth or because it's been reproduced in that great Tuluki artwork we keep hearing about.
No biggie.

[John]

I'm having a hard time understanding how the use of a color type in a sdesc, one that exists in the game, is jarring for people

Whenever I see "silver" or "steel" in game (I've yet to see gold) I go "oh wow! That's someone to take note of." I even have the words highlighted so I don't miss it. So when I see it used a lot, I get the "oh wow" reaction, before realizing it's not actually steel or silver.

Sort of the same deal with silk. I see silk as meaning someone's pretty wealthy. And when everyone and their kank is wearing silk, it devalues it.

That's just my personal playing style.

[Whira's Luck]

I'm having a hard time understanding how the use of a color type in a sdesc, one that exists in the game, is jarring for people

Whenever I see "silver" or "steel" in game (I've yet to see gold) I go "oh wow! That's someone to take note of." I even have the words highlighted so I don't miss it. So when I see it used a lot, I get the "oh wow" reaction, before realizing it's not actually steel or silver.

That tells me it's more of a problem with what your client is highlighting for you than you not taking it in context once you realize what the context is.

Sort of the same deal with silk. I see silk as meaning someone's pretty wealthy. And when everyone and their kank is wearing silk, it devalues it.

But something can't be silk-colored. Or let me put it this way: Would you have the same issue with something which has a 'silky' texture? As in: This bone sword has been polished to a silky texture.

Also, your argument seems to be flawed in that one has nothing to do with the other: there aren't people wearing cloaks made of steel, or sashes made of silver.

How is a 'silver signet ring' devalued by someone having 'silver-grey leather gloves' or even 'silver' eyes? The context of the former is used to denote specifically a material it is made from. The silver is given a certain value in Zalanthas in metal, and that's exactly why it is valued highly. Not because whoever built the object tacked on 'silver'. The value would be the same if it said 'a crested ring' and the description had the band made completely of the metal silver. No value has changed.

The latter examples are used in a context of color -only-, as a tool to aid in the reader's comprehension and definition of the idea that the writer is attempting to get across to you. The context it is being used is 'color' not material. So the inherent value of silver is not changed. In Zalanthas, silver is more valuable than leather. Furthur, one's 'silver' eyes have no more inherent value than another's 'blue' eyes or 'grey' eyes. They aren't stating their eyes are made of silver, just that they have the color, and perhaps the reflective value of silver.

If the problem is with you not understanding the context in which it was written, then it's not the fault of the writer or the words (assuming it was written in a way that expressly highlighted what fashion it was meant in.. i.e. silver-hued, silver-eyed), but with you not understanding the context. It should be about as jarring as someone saying 'Call me when you need me.' We know that in the context of their speech and in the gameworld, they're not telling you to use a phone.

[John]

That tells me it's more of a problem with what your client is highlighting for you than you not taking it in context once you realize what the context is.

I'd still go "oh wow, steel!" even if it wasn't highlighted (assuming I didn't miss it), until I realized it wasn't steel.

Also, your argument seems to be flawed in that one has nothing to do with the other

I said it was sorta similar. Sorry if it confused you, feel free to ignore it. (It's similar for me in that both make me excited when I shouldn't be. The difference being one has an IC existance (the silk item), the other having an OOC existance (steel in an sdesc)).

How is a 'silver signet ring' devalued by someone having 'silver-grey leather gloves' or even 'silver' eyes?

ICly it isn't. OOCly I see silver and think "ooh" before realizing it's not really silver. This happens enough, when I do see silver I won't automatically recognize it as valuable. I'll be use to ignoring it or interpretting it as grey.

If the problem is with you not understanding the context in which it was written, then it's not the fault of the writer or the words (assuming it was written in a way that expressly highlighted what fashion it was meant in.. i.e. silver-hued, silver-eyed), but with you not understanding the context. It should be about as jarring as someone saying 'Call me when you need me.' We know that in the context of their speech and in the gameworld, they're not telling you to use a phone.

I'm not blaming people. Someone asked if I found it jarring, I answered. I personally prefer to use non-metal words (and there is LOTS of different words to use instead, a lot of which are commonly known). I prefer people to use non-metal words, but I'm not going to say "OMG!!!11 he's using sivler! I must PK him to teach him a lesson." It's like how almost no-one uses the word "character." "What's his character like?" is a perfectly valid question IG. But because of what character means to us OOCly, most people (either consciously or unconsciously) will not use it.

[Wintermute]

Whenever I see "silver" or "steel" in game (I've yet to see gold) I go "oh wow! That's someone to take note of." I even have the words highlighted so I don't miss it. So when I see it used a lot, I get the "oh wow" reaction, before realizing it's not actually steel or silver.

Sort of the same deal with silk. I see silk as meaning someone's pretty wealthy. And when everyone and their kank is wearing silk, it devalues it.

That's just my personal playing style.

That's interesting John, because several years ago now, I had put in an application for a character that had the word "ivory" as a descriptor in the main and short descs.  I had seen ivory in the world before and knew it existed, so I didn't think there'd be a problem referencing it.

But the app was rejected (no longer remember who turned it down and commented now) for the reason that "ivory" was a valuable material and for that reason it wasn't a suitable descriptor in a character description.  I thought, "what, is it going to make someone want to steal my character's hair?" and picked a different adjective.

So I guess whoever that was, was thinking of you John.  

[Majikal]

I don't find the use of any color words such as steel, gold, silver or things of that nature as innappropriate. When you look at someone you don't see a string of text, you see an image. Your character description is for the players, not the characters.

[Incognito]

Having played a fair share of Salarri PCs, I'd vote to revert back to the orange uniforms. Grey is SO common!

[Yokunama]

Your character description is for the players, not the characters.

Majikal, the topic is really highlighted around "words" that seem to be a little off with the world.

Actually, its for both the player and character to get a picture of the person looked at. What if your character was looking at a dwarf carved completely out of obsidian? They'd have to react to their appearance in some form or fashion.