At 02:07 PM 7/15/99 -0400, John Kim wrote:

>If you beg, I won't
>give you stuff because that will just encourage more begging.

Hmmm. I find I'm of two minds about begging. I tend not to like it in
many cases, but for some of my characters it seems reasonable if done with
discretion and in-character entertainment value.

For example, I wouldn't even consider begging by broadcast, /ooc, /auc, or
/shout. That is a sure way to incite my use of /ignore.

Then it comes to judgment and style.

I'm offended by /tell or /say with a request for money or items for a
random newbie of just any race or class, in those terms, especially if
they're persistent.

On the other hand for a couple of my characters (both halflings), they're
likely to complement a person on their equipment and then say, "Can I have
it?" In their case it's an in-character sense of community property and
little expectation of being given anything. To be fair they will also
sometimes give to others, even unsolicited.

My most outright case was walking my halfling warrior, my most likely
begger, into the Freeport bank and saying, "Wow, can any of you rich folks
spare a few odd platinum for a hard-working but poor warrior? Equipment is
really expensive around here." I only did that once. It got me 10
platinum from a high-level, well-equipped halfling woman. I went on a
careful, judicious spending spree, after of course complementing her beauty
and generosity and promising to do good and be a mighty warrior.

So am I kidding myself or is begging done skillfully and wisely a game
enhancement but done coarsely (and as if you're owed) worthy of being /ignored?

Bob