[@NuttsnBolts] Oh, I'll check details if there's a sheet, a lot of the time.  But I've also been known to spend a couple hours combing a log for the same details, so...<.<;  Or just straight up asking.  Or assuming, but when told "nope you're wrong" I'll fix it, no problem.  ^.^;;

Gonna agree with the part about mental disorders.  It's less the presence of the disorder and more not knowing what it's like to have it.  I'm sure I've done this with things.  ...I've also bent the truth for plot, but I imagine it would upset the wrong audience.

[@Shoryu Magami] Before I say anything else, let me say again that I do appreciate a well-considered reply.  <3  Nor will you ever find me complaining about too much to read simply because of length.  My issues always come in other departments.  Bashing is bad in general.  I try to reserve it for those who absolutely suck and the rest is just grievances with the world in general.  ^.^;;  I don't always convey that well, though.  *sigh*

I think there's major flaws in the divisions.  I've come into conflict with rpers specifically because of it, namely length and lore depth being mostly independent issues (plus anyone telling me I /can't/ think about details because it's not an advanced rp is going to frustrate me) but I'm also contentious by nature.  Unfortunately.  ^.^;;

I agree that even the smallest things can have a big impact -- like with your pocketwatch -- but there's also the literary idea of conservation of detail: if it's mentioned, it's important/relevant.  It's hard to find a good balance, and you're right, there's no one correct answer.

[@Ellri] Actually, I slightly disagree.  A char sheet might not be necessary for a world with dozens of characters.  The multi-year lore-intensive but script-style realtime rp I'm in three nights a week has...let's see.  There's something like six players, and we each have two to four focus characters minimum, and then there's a bunch of recurring ones, and...yeah.  So that meets the standard.  However, we started without any char sheet, or possibly with a name and a brief blurb, like a character concept.  And as we go, we have a forum that has a lot of the lore and try to keep it updated.  Instead of character /sheets/, each of the characters has something more like a...synopsis, or a biography.  No set format, no set details.  It's whatever people feel is important to be remembered.  Most of mine are a quick image, often a dollmaker one, or a sketch I did, and then highlights from their past covering the important points going forward, and a quick sketch of personality.  I suppose you could call it a sheet, but making them felt nothing like the hassle of writing up an official sheet.  *shrug*  Big issue here is that they weren't made before the rp started, and stuff about new chars isn't added until after we get to know them.