IC and OOC

Summary

Aetolia is a roleplaying game, which means one steps into a different role when entering the game. For this ti be possible there are two expressions commonly used to separate the real world from the game world:

OOC

OOC (Out Of Character) is, in a way, the realm of the Player, the person sitting behind the computer, someone who can be completely different from the character he/she is playing. It is the term used for things un-related to the character, such as computers, the real world, your own headache and lagging servers. These things can be spoken about in special forums, like OOC clans, webs, or when asking questions on the newbie channel. They can also be mentioned in Tells, if they are in some way marked off as being OOC (either by using some form of brackets, or writing it out in plain).

For example:

You tell Lin, "((What are your plans for the evening?))"

Lin tells you, "[OOC] I'm going to pretty up the wiki some more."

IC

IC (In Character) on the other hand, is wholly connected to the character and its place in the game world. To be IC means to act the role of the character at all times, without adding any information about real world issues or matters that are unknown to the character. When performing any kind of action in the game, speaking on public channels or emoting, it is the work of the character, not the player.

Always consider what is natural for your character when doing something. If it is completely out of scope of what is normal, try to find a way to make sense of it, roleplay it and make it happen, rather than making a swift turn throwing off everyone around you.

Metagaming

To bring OOC knowledge into the game is referred to as Metagaming. Sometimes it can be difficult to keep things separate, but it is important to make every effort not to mix these things. Anything a Player has gained knowledge of (from forums, chats, OOC clans, or other) is unknown to the character. Making the character act on this knowledge is very poor roleplaying.

Example:

• Character A's shop has been robbed of everything, causing him to suffer a major financial blow, but he has no idea who might have done this.
• The Player of Character A finds a log on the forums, describing the successful robbery and how Character B pulled it off.

Seeing as this knowledge is OOC, only known to the Player, his character can't run to the authorities and accuse Character B of the robbery. There is no IC evidenc. However, if a thorough investigation is done, ICly, and evidence is found that incriminates Character B, actions can be taken.