Atmospheric item
An atmospheric (or "atmo" for short) item is one that periodically emits messaging to the entire room without any action on the player's part. Common examples include Planetary Gems, certain forehead gems, "floaters"/"drifters," snake charms, flower charms, bird charms, and "shimmer" garments.
Role-playing Considerations
The terms "atmospheric item" and "atmo item" are often regarded as OOC. A more IC alternative is to describe what the item is doing, such as "animated," "flashy," "shimmering," or "noisy" (if the item makes noise).
To reduce scroll and/or lag during major events, common etiquette is to turn off atmospheric items. This can be done by either removing the item or by holding it and using the Atmosphere command.
Criticism
Many players regard atmospheric item messaging as unnecessary spam. When several players in a crowd are wearing such items, the screen can scroll by very quickly, making it more difficult to follow events. To mitigate this issue, GMs have been working to route all atmospheric item messaging to the Atmospherics window instead of the game window. (Depending on settings, this may completely remove such messaging from the game window.)
If you see an atmospheric item that is not being sent to the Atmospherics window, please use the Bug command to report it. If you are not holding the item, include the messaging that you see so that GMs can figure out which item you're reporting.
Technical Issues
In extreme cases, the use of atmospheric items can cause game-wide lag and/or instability. For example, during the Hollow Eve Festival 414 Auction, which had dozens of players in the same room, the game did not stop crashing until those who were attending the auction turned off their atmospheric items and stopped teaching classes.
Variations
Worn Location | Sold By | Rare | Incomplete | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Rumpled velvet snood | head | Odiferous Ornaments | true | |
Scorched broadcloth backpack | back | Odiferous Ornaments | true | |
Grimy multi-layered taffeta skirt | pants | Odiferous Ornaments | true | |
Grungy velvet surcoat | shirt shirt (with armor) | Odiferous Ornaments | true | |
Shabby cotton gloves | hands | Odiferous Ornaments Odiferous Ornaments | true | |
Damp gingham bonnet | head | Odiferous Ornaments | true | |
Greasy canvas knapsack | back | Odiferous Ornaments | true | |
Ragged linen smock | shirt (with armor) | Odiferous Ornaments Odiferous Ornaments | true | |
Soiled silk doublet | shirt shirt (with armor) | Odiferous Ornaments Odiferous Ornaments | true | |
Dirty cotton apron | generic | Odiferous Ornaments | true | true |
Oily canvas waistcoat | shirt shirt (with armor) | Odiferous Ornaments Odiferous Ornaments | true | |
Frayed satin cummerbund | waist | Odiferous Ornaments | true | |
Bleached cotton haversack | shoulder | Odiferous Ornaments | true | |
Stained satin blouse | shirt (without armor) | Odiferous Ornaments Odiferous Ornaments | true | |
Musty pewter-buckled shoes | feet | Odiferous Ornaments | true | |
Ripped gauze tights | generic | Odiferous Ornaments | true | |
Partially sodden gabardine trousers | pants | Odiferous Ornaments Odiferous Ornaments | true | |
Crusty flannel socks | generic | Odiferous Ornaments | true | |
Slovenly doeskin bundle | back | Odiferous Ornaments | true | |
Threadbare elbow-length gloves | hands | Odiferous Ornaments Odiferous Ornaments | true | |
Grime-encrusted satin slippers | feet | Odiferous Ornaments | true | |
Disintegrating floral circlet | head | Odiferous Ornaments | true | |
Muddy wool capote | shoulders | Odiferous Ornaments Odiferous Ornaments | true | |
Rotten leather tricorn | head | Odiferous Ornaments | true | |
Grubby woolen knickers | pants | Odiferous Ornaments | true | |
Mangled high-button shoes | feet | Odiferous Ornaments | true | |
Filthy brocade bodice | shirt (with armor) | Odiferous Ornaments | true | |
Moth-eaten woolen kilt | pants | Odiferous Ornaments Odiferous Ornaments | true | |
Discolored felt beret | head | Odiferous Ornaments | true |