Conversation in public areas - A few thoughts

[Deleted]

First of all, let me begin by saying that this thread is by no means intending to target any particular player within the community. These are simply a few thoughts that have sprung to my mind over the past couple of days regarding a certain topic. 

As I'm sure most of you have experienced something like this in the past, I will start of with this: realism. In particular, I'm referring to the distance between two individuals as they speak, and how much information one can actually retain within that distance, by only listening. Let me use Greatgaunt square as an example. Rory and Tammy are sitting by the table in front of the stage, involved in a discussion about military tactics. There is a group of three people standing nearby, perhaps on the corner of the road, engaged in another conversation, although this conversation is being controlled by hushed tones. Now, an individual character is leaning against the fence outside the Regal Griffon Inn, casually examining those gathered in the square.

From my understanding of in-game mechanics, there is a certain distance that must be retained between two or more individuals before they can't 'hear' what is being said. Obviously the player controlling the character by the fence can easily read what is being discussed by the pair sitting at the table, considering that they're talking normally, but is the character itself actually capable of picking up and retaining every single piece of information discussed within that conversation? Suddenly the pair decide that they want to travel somewhere, and the character by the fence is immediately walking over to the table and introducing themselves, hoping to be invited. It might seem like a silly example, but it's all I can think of right now. 

However, my point is as follows: Are characters realistically capable of hearing every single detail of conversation that takes places around them, if we consider distances in this case. Specifically in public places, where the majority of NPCs are unrepresented and in a place like Greatgaunt, where the population reaches well over a thousand or two thousand, if I'm not mistaken, would mean that there are always going to be people passing along the road and causing noises due to the hustle and bustle of daily life.

Honestly, I would love to get your opinions on this topic, as it's been on my mind for quite some time now.

[magocracy]

I think I would commend you if you chose to have your PC not hear a conversation because you don't think they were in range, or only pick up bits and pieces, but I don't think anyone should ever hold anyone else to this standard. It's waayy too vague and nebulous.

Also, NWN does have listening range built into the game. It's probably a larger radius than you like and it doesn't take ambient noise etc into consideration but there is a clear mechanical point where you can't hear other PCs. I don't see how you can enforce reducing that, unless DMs are directly supervising.

[EDM Entori]

if more then ten paces or say, I always thought someone would have to raise their voice and rped that. IE people talking across the square, or someone standing at the fence/tree, and suddenly jumps into the conversation happening at the table.

mechanics are mechanics you have to add flavor, it's not about enforcing anything, but giving the nod of rather self satisfactory roleplay.

don't feel bad OP. I brought this up years ago and it got flammed out. but if someone jumps on a conversation your having even in public, I would be like "who the hell are you", so it still can be perceived as rude or other things.

[DM Grizwald]

I have always liked playing this sort of situation based on the characters listen score. If one of my characters has a poor listen score I can't see him/her being able to listen more then one conversation at the same time. If they have a very high listen score I can see them being able to hear a great deal of things at the same time, and then maybe depending on that characters intelligence score, remembering what they have herd.

This sort of thing for me at least, because I mostly play sneaks and characters who deal in information, is a fun way to go about retaining information from eaves dropping.

[jankmcjanker]

Personally, if a character isn't looking at my character I'll assume they aren't talking to my character. If they're a certain distance away, I'll assume I can't hear them unless they emote shouting.

Normally I try to read the text over someone's head. If I can't figure out who is talking, I go to the chat box on the bottom of the screen. If there's a big crowd in GG and lots of people are talking at the same time, I lose track of who's saying what really fast. Someone could be talking right at me and I won't respond because I didn't see it because of all the text bubbles popping up, heh. I suppose that quality betrays my character's wisdom score .

[Ivarcles]

I believe clairaudience allows one to have an extended hearing range. Don't forget to factor that possibility in concerning people listening in on you.

[magocracy]

Well just to clarify I'm not saying DON'T R.P. this, and it's a good thing to bring up and be mindful of, but I think it's not something you can or should demand of other players if they choose not to be aware of distance. It seems like it's one of those matter-of-opinion, no definitive answer type things that can cause more angst than they're worth if you point it out to other people.

[Trollfiend]

Dec 14, 2013 18:49:08 GMT -5 @finalfantasyfan said:

First of all, let me begin by saying that this thread is by no means intending to target any particular player within the community. These are simply a few thoughts that have sprung to my mind over the past couple of days regarding a certain topic. 

As I'm sure most of you have experienced something like this in the past, I will start of with this: realism. In particular, I'm referring to the distance between two individuals as they speak, and how much information one can actually retain within that distance, by only listening. Let me use Greatgaunt square as an example. Rory and Tammy are sitting by the table in front of the stage, involved in a discussion about military tactics. There is a group of three people standing nearby, perhaps on the corner of the road, engaged in another conversation, although this conversation is being controlled by hushed tones. Now, an individual character is leaning against the fence outside the Regal Griffon Inn, casually examining those gathered in the square.

From my understanding of in-game mechanics, there is a certain distance that must be retained between two or more individuals before they can't 'hear' what is being said. Obviously the player controlling the character by the fence can easily read what is being discussed by the pair sitting at the table, considering that they're talking normally, but is the character itself actually capable of picking up and retaining every single piece of information discussed within that conversation? Suddenly the pair decide that they want to travel somewhere, and the character by the fence is immediately walking over to the table and introducing themselves, hoping to be invited. It might seem like a silly example, but it's all I can think of right now. 

However, my point is as follows: Are characters realistically capable of hearing every single detail of conversation that takes places around them, if we consider distances in this case. Specifically in public places, where the majority of NPCs are unrepresented and in a place like Greatgaunt, where the population reaches well over a thousand or two thousand, if I'm not mistaken, would mean that there are always going to be people passing along the road and causing noises due to the hustle and bustle of daily life.

Honestly, I would love to get your opinions on this topic, as it's been on my mind for quite some time now.

Go find a public place (not a resteraunt as people there tend to whisper) and pick a spot. Listen to evryone aorund you. Focus. Just listen. You'l lbe amazed what you can hear and anything you can hear, you can retain.

Now as far as what happens in game, if you don't want to be overheard, whisper. If you want to talk, know that anyone around you can and probably will read and retain your entire conversation.

[Fenix]

Dec 16, 2013 13:57:03 GMT -5 Trollfiend said:

Dec 14, 2013 18:49:08 GMT -5 @finalfantasyfan said:

First of all, let me begin by saying that this thread is by no means intending to target any particular player within the community. These are simply a few thoughts that have sprung to my mind over the past couple of days regarding a certain topic. 

As I'm sure most of you have experienced something like this in the past, I will start of with this: realism. In particular, I'm referring to the distance between two individuals as they speak, and how much information one can actually retain within that distance, by only listening. Let me use Greatgaunt square as an example. Rory and Tammy are sitting by the table in front of the stage, involved in a discussion about military tactics. There is a group of three people standing nearby, perhaps on the corner of the road, engaged in another conversation, although this conversation is being controlled by hushed tones. Now, an individual character is leaning against the fence outside the Regal Griffon Inn, casually examining those gathered in the square.

From my understanding of in-game mechanics, there is a certain distance that must be retained between two or more individuals before they can't 'hear' what is being said. Obviously the player controlling the character by the fence can easily read what is being discussed by the pair sitting at the table, considering that they're talking normally, but is the character itself actually capable of picking up and retaining every single piece of information discussed within that conversation? Suddenly the pair decide that they want to travel somewhere, and the character by the fence is immediately walking over to the table and introducing themselves, hoping to be invited. It might seem like a silly example, but it's all I can think of right now. 

However, my point is as follows: Are characters realistically capable of hearing every single detail of conversation that takes places around them, if we consider distances in this case. Specifically in public places, where the majority of NPCs are unrepresented and in a place like Greatgaunt, where the population reaches well over a thousand or two thousand, if I'm not mistaken, would mean that there are always going to be people passing along the road and causing noises due to the hustle and bustle of daily life.

Honestly, I would love to get your opinions on this topic, as it's been on my mind for quite some time now.

Go find a public place (not a resteraunt as people there tend to whisper) and pick a spot. Listen to evryone aorund you. Focus. Just listen. You'l lbe amazed what you can hear and anything you can hear, you can retain.

Now as far as what happens in game, if you don't want to be overheard, whisper. If you want to talk, know that anyone around you can and probably will read and retain your entire conversation.

To add on a bit there, Greatgaunt for example is a rather small town. It may have some few people walking the streets, but its not like its deafeningly loud all the time. Nor is it as big as people seem to think. They are small footpaths in town, not a city road like Valkurs Roar. It wouldnt be unthinkable to be talking across the street. It also adds the ability for some kind of social engagement, because lets be honest it sucks if everyone is just whispering to one another with no chance for you to get involved in that chat.

As Soulfien said, with just a simple focus, youd be surprised what you can hear around you. Hell, when im sitting somewhere im usually listening to everything around me, including a conversation that could be happening nearly across a room. Your ears are a powerful tool and can hear the slightest noise fairly far away, especially moreso when you know how to mentally buffer out noises and focus specific sounds.

[Grozer]

Interesting perspective and while I agree it might be more realistic to gauge how far you are from the conversation or what interference may hinder the ability to understand what is being said, the truth is its open to interpretation and therefore open to disagreement. Because something like this can be very subjective in so many ways, I prefer to look for a way that everyone can easily fall back on so there are no surprises, especially if what a PC is discussion he or she doesn't want others to hear. Therefore I tend to RP that if I can read the conversation my PC can hear it. Keeping that in mind my PC is careful what is said in open areas or when others are close by. Unfortunate side effect obviously being DMs may not realize there is some great RP going on they are not "seeing", but if you are, oh I dont know say for example planning the downfall of the Triad, this is necessary.

[gainreduction]

I like the idea, however Grozer raises a valid point. Keep to whisper if you're conspiring.

I mean...

/w Keep to whisper if you're conspiring!