Background.

[Erlwith]

Just out of curiosity, why is it Heralds can no longer see the backgrounds of players?

[Davairus]

Thats never been the case. Heralds usually interview people to find that stuff out.

[Erlwith]

Ah, well then I'll just suggest it then. Maybe Heralds could see the background of someone if they were say for instance in a library or something. Just a though.

[marsd]

I always thought background can ONLY be seen by an Imm or in graveyard when it dies. Sides, what gives you Heralds all the importance to be able to see a character's history?

[Erlwith]

From HELP HERALD.

[Adebaldi]

Some time ago Heralds had the ability to write down histories of characters after interviewing them and later when somebody asked any herald could recite it. I think that for a bit it was even a requirement for being in cabal just like the backround is now, so I guess the helpfile is just outdated.

[Davairus]

As an analogy, consider a book precis.

If you were going to sell a book to the public, you wouldn't want to hand out the precis several weeks in advance. They'd just know what's going to happen, and that's no fun.

On the other hand, if you were going to try to get a book published, the publisher (who is funding your book out of his own pocket) would need to see the precis, if not the whole thing.

precis = background, book = mortal, public = players (inc. heralds), publisher = Immortals

I'm not opposed to the option of displaying backgrounds to other players, but I'm not sure how that can play out IC, other than through says, emotes, etc, which you can already do.

[Erlwith]

Good point - hmm... I mean there are ways around it that make sense Ic but it would be a stretch and I suppose that's not what we're looking for here.

Thanks, if I come up with anything that makes sense and isn't too much of a stretch then I'll suggest it here.

[Vhrael]

There are really two ways you can get your background out to other people (if you want to): directly and indirectly.

Examples of directly:
- Speaking your background ("I was born in X to Y parents," etc.)
- Notes
- Heralds

Examples of indirectly:
- Making distracted remarks around people ("That reminds me of the time...")
- Reacting to situations (your char was enslaved by drow as a child --> you cower and cringe when drow are around, saying things like "Oh, please don't hit me!", etc.)

You can try either method, assuming you actually want your background known. It all depends on the character's personality and RP. You wouldn't expect a deeply depressed, morose, extremely introverted character to run into the Tavern and start gossiping "Hey guys! When I was young my house was set on fire by bandits, and everyone but me and my younger sister survived! Isn't that great?!"

That's of course my opinion on the whole thing, but yeah... the whole Heralds controversy/confusion goes back to histories.