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An uncanny number of roleplay characters seem to possess a sixth sense which allows them knowledge of things they should be clueless about.
When ESP is a thing in the roleplay, or when there are subtle clues that the character could feasibly pick up on unconsciously which would make them feel like something is off but not be sure exactly what, this is fine! It can even create a dramatic conflict if one character has a feeling something's up, but no one believes them. There are times when "just knowing" or "sensing" something is appropriate, but there's many more times when it isn't.
Say you read that there are robbers watching your characters from the trees; they are described as perfectly concealed as they prepare to ambush your characters. It can be tempting to have your character sense something is off so they can be prepared and possibly avoid injury and loss of their stuff, but this is unrealistic. Let your character be surprised; reflexes are a thing, after all, and things don't always go well for people in real life, it's a bit sue-ish if "sensing" things keeps your character out of every sticky situation that comes up.
This phenomenon can be especially frustrating when you're trying to reveal something to the other player, so that you can surprise your characters, organically reveal backstory, or even just build suspense. When someone takes information that their characters weren't supposed to pick up on, and have them get it anyway, it messes with your intentions. Even if the character keeps the things they've "just know" to themselves, or they don't get the details, it's still knowledge they realistically shouldn't have, and it affects the story for them to have it.
Guys, sit down and take a note
It is okay for your characters to not know things
No really, it is! In fact, it can be a very good thing. It gives your character a chance to be surprised, making for more dynamic scenes.
To prevent metaknowledge, it helps to look at the post you're responding to from the perspective of your character; what parts of the post do they pick up with their five senses? Never mind what the other character is thinking, what did your character hear them say? Never mind how they're feeling, what does your character get from their tone and body language? People don't always say what they mean or act in a way that reflects their true feelings. It's even easier to avoid metaknowledge when it's things like an ambush up ahead or a new tattoo under someone's sweater. If your character has no way of knowing something, it's likely because they're not supposed to know it yet, so go ahead and leave them in the dark; it's okay.
When ESP is a thing in the roleplay, or when there are subtle clues that the character could feasibly pick up on unconsciously which would make them feel like something is off but not be sure exactly what, this is fine! It can even create a dramatic conflict if one character has a feeling something's up, but no one believes them. There are times when "just knowing" or "sensing" something is appropriate, but there's many more times when it isn't.
Say you read that there are robbers watching your characters from the trees; they are described as perfectly concealed as they prepare to ambush your characters. It can be tempting to have your character sense something is off so they can be prepared and possibly avoid injury and loss of their stuff, but this is unrealistic. Let your character be surprised; reflexes are a thing, after all, and things don't always go well for people in real life, it's a bit sue-ish if "sensing" things keeps your character out of every sticky situation that comes up.
This phenomenon can be especially frustrating when you're trying to reveal something to the other player, so that you can surprise your characters, organically reveal backstory, or even just build suspense. When someone takes information that their characters weren't supposed to pick up on, and have them get it anyway, it messes with your intentions. Even if the character keeps the things they've "just know" to themselves, or they don't get the details, it's still knowledge they realistically shouldn't have, and it affects the story for them to have it.
Guys, sit down and take a note
It is okay for your characters to not know things
No really, it is! In fact, it can be a very good thing. It gives your character a chance to be surprised, making for more dynamic scenes.
To prevent metaknowledge, it helps to look at the post you're responding to from the perspective of your character; what parts of the post do they pick up with their five senses? Never mind what the other character is thinking, what did your character hear them say? Never mind how they're feeling, what does your character get from their tone and body language? People don't always say what they mean or act in a way that reflects their true feelings. It's even easier to avoid metaknowledge when it's things like an ambush up ahead or a new tattoo under someone's sweater. If your character has no way of knowing something, it's likely because they're not supposed to know it yet, so go ahead and leave them in the dark; it's okay.