OOC vs IC knowledge

One of the things I've always liked best about our little villiage of RPers is how often we *do* share things that we weave into our stories, even when they're not advertised public places like the Golden Leaf or Fancy Cakes.  The University of Kalimdor was something I always thought was fascinating H-side, and when I was puttering around on Artie it seemed like something she could just fall into.  I did communicate with Saffiy as soon as I started getting ideas, but the fact was it was "out there" - a player-created addition to the world - for anyone to stumble upon.  And it remains so to this day - anyone can stop by the library or mention the UofK in their RP, and I'm always happy to work with folks about it (as long as it doesn't mean burning things down or taking things over!)

There are SO many things, big and little, that players create, from Rabbly's porch to the Order of Magicks offices.  I always like to think they are "out there" for everyone, though I guess it's always respectful to contact the originator of the place or thing before incorporating it into your own RP. 

We've certainly made the world we've been given richer for all these things, though, and I think it's one of those aspects that most help color and define an individual server's "world".

I think it would be taboo for an author to forbid or frown upon their writing being used IC by another player, assuming it's public knowledge.

Obviously blogs that go on behind closed doors, or a character's thoughts revealed in a blog can't be known by another person, but if Elrin walks down the street having a conversation with someone else...of course it could be overheared by someone close by.  Or as you pointed out, information from a public place is...well, public.

Yeah I think if you create GEOGRAPHY, then it's fair game.  Although with something like Ythgar's club, I personally would probably just straight out mention it in blogs without considering it to be 'private'......but if I wanted my character to GO THERE I'd shoot a PM in case there was an entry list or something, held by a big bruising bouncer, or the player didn't want other people to get too much into their idea in case they changed it beyond what it's like in the original imagination  :)

Personally I think it's the difference between public and private space, in a way.  If you create a mountain range, well.....hard to stop anyone else 'using' that.  A club or a house or something, ask before touching.

The Battle Ball was interesting......again, I'd mention it freely, but wouldn't get into the rules issue without asking.  Battle Ball people might not approve though, if so perhaps they'll say so here!  Just my own personal take on it.

Battle Ball is in the game canonically, it's mentioned in one of the Daily cooking quests, Mustard Dogs!. That's where I originally got the idea from and the only team actually mentioned is the Dalaran Destroyers. I've thought up a couple and I've got them saved somewhere so I can indeed post a list if it's really wanted! 

It just seemed like something us RPers would know about, sports in our video game :3

Well, for my own part, I'd say the bar is perfectly acceptable to use. The only caveats are that authors not alter the layout too too much in their writing - it's a club which to envision you should mix Ibiza's clubs Amnesia with Privilege (both have useful websites), then make it into a World of Darkness version. So darker, shadows more clinging, more of an aura of despair along with the nihilistic decadence.

Ythgar is there on one night a week, and feel free to use him as a NPC at range, seated in the very best booth, overseeing things and being magnetic at people.

Fights get broken up; there are bouncers and such, some demonic, some mortal and material. There are drinks of all kinds, and the dancers are more anonymous and atmospheric, moving sinuously on raised platforms arranged around the main floor, serving to be something to stare at in the haze of trance music and drugs.

It's two levels with a large generally crammed dance floor and an area with tables and booths for people to watch the dancers, drink, and catch breathers. There's a door leading to rooms above for cooling off, or having sex if dancers and patrons need to do either.

Beyond those parameters, have fun and feel free to hang at the Ambitious Nathrezim =)

one of the areas on the pox website is dedicated to providing maps and descriptions of 'public places' and groups (i.e. nightfire children, order of relief, etc.) that people can make part of their stories :)

There's a fine line to walk about stuff like this. I think it's great for players to interact with the creations of others-- like your examples, the Battle Ball and bar. However there's people who will use things entirely improperly that they read on this site, "see" in game (as in gleaning information from someone on the other side of the wall, even though their character couldn't have possibly seen), or are told OOCly. I think the occurrences of improper use of OOC information makes people really edgy about it.

For example, i'd be totally cool with people mentioning Fortune if they'd heard word that he was good with numbers and could potentially be hired to do their accounting... that's information most would get OOCly, but i'd be okay with it being used as common knowledge.

On the flip side, I think i'd be very upset if some guards trotted up and tried to arrest him for things that aren't common knowledge. Which isn't to say that I wouldn't be willing to work out a story arc like that, if the person approached me about it... I just wouldn't want what I write in my blogs to incriminate me when what I do in game doesn't.

Which brings me back to the point, how do you specify what's acceptable and what's not without outlining it on everything, which would be entirely stupid? It's all well and good to trust people to have common sense, until somebody proves that they don't. How do you handle that person, when it happens? If they start spouting things off ICly that they gleaned OOCly, then suddenly a lot more people will know ICly, and you very swiftly find yourself in a mess.

Just some things to think about. I don't run into these problems very often and I like to think that i'm very open minded about it all, but if it did happen to me, what can you even do?

Something else which people should pay attention to - RSPs and public RP. As far as I am concerned, what I see I can act on. Now, the caveat is what to do with someone who has ignored the suggestions about correct use of RSP and chosen rather than to provide basic 'first impression' and physical detail one might see at first glance... to give viewers their WHOLE LIFE STORY. It's a twisted habit of mine to read RSPs even when as a PvPer I'm fighting in an enemy city, and I often wonder how one should treat someone publically presenting their life story. Is it somehow apparent?

Also, outfits are important. If I see some death knight dressed like a death knight, I'll likely address them as if they were a... shockingly... death knight. I have had people act surprised and upset when I've done this, which baffles me.

So. Um. Where was I. Right. RSP's and public RP where someone blurts out private life details or whatever should also make those loud details public knowledge. Joe Blow the Emo Rogue walks up to someone in public and starts bemoaning his angry lover leaving him, his abusive mother's molestation and his incestuous affair with his sister, and he should not then be shocked if the loitering IC guy right beside him comments on whatever he and Jane Blow were discussing, and later, uses that personal information against him. If you're in public, RPing, you might want to exercise the same care you would at, say, a Starbucks or whatever. Do you stand in line at a Starbucks and loudly tell your friend about your communicable STD or hunger for illegal booty? Probably not. If you do, and anyone who could affect your future is also in line or seated at a nearby table, you're risking consequences for your loose lips.

In game shouldn't really be different in that sense.

I'm often a bit startled in RP with Vinguld how many people sit down with him and inform this relative stranger about all their secrets, their back story, and never even seem to care for the fact that he's a manipulative sod. Is it really going to be such a shock when he outs you and blackmails you after you meet him for the first time, have coffee, and blurt out everything of consequence that's happened to you for the last 10 years?

Really?

A list of Battle Ball teams and leagues (Feel free to use at any time!):

Northern League:

Dalaran Destroyers

Amberpine Lumberjacks

Valiance Seahawks

Wintergarde Corsairs

Argent Crusaders

Kor'kron Crushers

Oneqwah Chiefs

Agamand Zombies

Southern League: 

Stormwind Kings 

Hellscream Warchiefs 

Stranglethorn Tigers

Tanaris Scorpions 

Darnassus Sabres

Ratchet Ratchets

Westfall Cyclones 

Thunder Bluff Bulls

Undercity Monsters

This is a very interesting topic and I'm glad to see someone thought to ask. I think that if we were to commonly take OOC knowledge and bring it in game without said persons permission then people would start being reluctant to post here and wouldnt that be a tragedy? For me its a matter of respect to ones story line to simply ask to be involved. I'm sure most would find themselves accepted to join in with open arms. Of course a little common sense would be expected to be used here. For example if one would happen to share a private moment of perhaps loves first kiss by lets say a lake in a wooded area. I'd like to think you wouldnt want to be that lurker up in a tree limb. -winks-

((Why do I feel semi-inspired to create freaking logos for each team.... Augh.))