Do you have what it takes?

[CodeMaster]

If the imms were so inclined, and were feeling devious and clever, a way to force us to OOCly and ICly identify certain poisons/cures for every PC would be pretty game balancing in a way. It wouldn't make any damn sense at all, but the random assignment of properties to various potions for example in crawl or nethack is one thing that really helps with replayability.

Well, one way this could be done is to take the cures, give them all the same bland description, and make it so you can "sniff" them.  When you sniff them, they could give you a different sniff-description, randomized per your character.

The trick to making it work would be that all of the sniff-descriptions would have to be synonymous:

You sniff a small white tablet.
It has a vaguely floral scent.

You sniff a small white tablet.
It has a vaguely sweet scent.

You sniff a small white tablet.
It has a sugary scent.

You sniff a small white tablet.
It has a cloying scent.

You sniff a small white tablet.
It has a saccharine scent.

I guess the trick would be coming up with enough synonyms, and perhaps it is not worth the OOC nuisance.

[Kryos]

In a word, yes.  I've sent promising characters to their early deaths based on this.  For a couple of them, this was extremely painful, as I as the player had to sit back and watch as things evolved around them to the point that death was likely unavoidable while I really wanted the pc to live.

For me, I've always decided upon writing their backgrounds what they know and don't.    Some are sublimely ignorant, some learned of the world and more apt to apply their knowledge, others split based on their 'trade.'

[boog]

Oh god.

I already don't know about cures or poisons. This would be terrible for me, even more than it already is!

[ShaLeah]

Oh god.

I already don't know about cures or poisons. This would be terrible for me, even more than it already is!

Gurrrrl don't even talk to me about that! You have no idea the travesty! Lesigh.

[boog]

I daresay we are the most amazing players that are stupid when it comes to this shit.

(Kidding. I love you all. Most of you. )

So, obviously, ShaL and I would not approve.

[Derain]

I got a whole clan killed once being a poor little recruit and knowing we were headed into a bad place.

[Zoan]

I got a whole clan killed once being a poor little recruit and knowing we were headed into a bad place.

*thumbsup*

[Case]

Character ignorance is fun. I've lost a character to it from choosing to drink a hidden poison I knew about but my PC could never consider it would be poison due to the giver.

I quite enjoy learning everything all over every time I play a badly educated PC, including magick.

[Bushranger]

This is what makes the game world so interesting! (Or as any dwarven fortress player would say: FUN)

I've had one of my most favourite long lived characters pull out and light up spice in front of a Templar in the Traders because he was daydreaming and caught the whiff of some noble man's spice from an echo. OOCly I knew where my PC was but ICly he had reacted out of habit before he remembered where he was and more importantly who he was with.

Or continuing to brag about banging the mate of a corporal in the Arm of the Dragon even after he had entered the Gaj. I saw the scroll of text saying "so and so has arrived." but my PC was engrossed in his tale.

Everyone should knowingly screw up from time to time. It makes for a better story!

[chrisdcoulombe]

Necromancer

Yes, I have walked into areas that I was pretty certain of death to  stay in character....and my character died.  I tried my best to survive.

[Culinary Critic]

My 40 day human ranger (and possibly favourite char ever) rode in to take out two kryl that were attacking HIS city's gates.  Didn't last long.  But he was pretty dumb ig anyway.