OOC euphemisms
Some people think that they are being in-character if they use a euphemism to discuss an OOC concept in-game. (For example, someone who wants to complain about severe lag may speak of a "thick fog.") However, the use of such euphemisms is still OOC. Many players object to this behavior, especially when these euphemisms are used on the gweth channels.
Here is a list of commonly used euphemisms and what they mean.
Web Sites and Services
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| feline in Haven | Smelly Cat forum |
| pigeon, bird | 1. AIM account; 2. instant message |
| birdkeeper | someone who has an AIM account |
| scroll(s) | Web site or forum |
| town message board | Play.net |
Game Mechanics
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| lessons, seasons | ranks* |
| training cycles | TDPs* |
| gods, powers that be, timeless, higher-ups | Simutronics or GameMasters (GMs) |
| outlook on the world | PvP stance (for example, "He has a guarded outlook on the world.") |
*Discussions of ranks and TDPs are OOC, because characters are not aware of the numerical nature of their attributes and abilities.
Connection Quality and Attentiveness
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| awake/asleep | 1. whether the character is logged in; 2. whether the player is AFK |
| fog | lag |
| in one's thoughts/head | AFK (usually for a brief period of time) |
| lifeline, portal | connection to DragonRealms |
| sleepwalker*, zombie | AFK scripter |
| wake [person] | to log into an alternate character |
*An argument can be made that from the character's perspective, it is logical to be confused by a person who is doing something that would seem to indicate awareness and yet who is completely unresponsive to his environment.
Player Characters
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| another body | alternate character (often on the same account) |
| brother/sister* | alternate character |
| mule | an alternate character that is primarily used to support another character played by the same person. Common uses of mules include extra vault storage space, healing, raising, and Moongate transportation. |
| new soul | a character that is now played by a different person |
| past life | 1. a character that has been rerolled; 2. one's former character |
| soul | player/account (usually used to discuss alternate characters; for example, "one soul, different bodies") |
*The use of brother/sister (or any other relative) may or may not be OOC, depending on how it is used. Some players legitimately role-play their characters as a family. On the other hand, if someone uses the term "brother" solely to convey that two characters are played by the same person, it's OOC.
Other
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Eastern clock, Elven time, bells/strikes on the Eastern/Elven tower, bells from the east |
Eastern Time |
| Eastern lands | the real world |
| old calendar | Earth time |
| winter celebration* | Christmas (especially when it is not winter in Elanthia) |
*Unfortunately, Simutronics has muddied the waters by having thinly veiled versions of real-life holidays, such as Chris's Mass.