Zhai walks down the street eating an apple.
Empire guy says: [btw, there's a gate by my right that leads into the building. it's half-way open and you can see there's a big cake inside]
Zhai mutters "Yummm... cake"
Now I got a reason to sneak in and get involved with your RP. My reaction could've been "Zhai shrugs and keeps walking". The choice is still mine and if I try to enter your RP space I should be ready for the consequences, like getting beaten up.
Tsk tsk, replying IC to something OOC, Zhai, you should know better.
I replied to something that wasn't said but that I could see, thus I said (to myself) "Yum, cake". IC reaction.
The main problem, as far as I can see (putting aside the fact that half the forum posters are whiners
) is that we used the term "Imperial Grounds". I can see why people don't like that but, it's just a misunderstanding. When you hear Imperial grounds you think that the Empire owns a plot of land inside the city (which isn't completely unbelievable) and so you, quite rightfully so at this time, call it godmodding. This fits into a wide spread problem of people not being able to understand that there are IC lies and exagerations. The house is rented, that much everybody agrees with. The land outside the house is guarded, if you can't understand this...yeah
. The term "Imperial Ground" was used IC, it is in no way an OOC claim. It's a piece of land that we keep people out of so we can conduct business, if the guard was alerted we could easily deny it and, seeing as you can not possibly bring forth proof, the guard would dismiss it.
No. The problem is that you're taking a piece of street and accusing those who happen to pass by of intruders when IC it is a public place. The threats have little to do with this. Rent all you want but don't take the streets and change their role for other players. That is where the godmodding dwells. I have no problem with anyone claiming they rent a place.
In summary
IC - Imperial Ground.
OOC - Piece of Hydlaa that the Empire keeps people out of.
Again: not the streets. They already have a meaning IC.
Now, unless you plan on arguing that people shouldn't strongarm others and that everybody should be nice and happy...I think this discussion is done.
Strongarm all you want. I have no problem with characters being themselves. Just don't godmod while you're at it.
@Sangwa: Common sense indeed.