Hi, in a game I run I all of a sudden get a private line that is black text with an orange dotted line underneath it instead of orange text between black square brackets.

here's a screencap: http://s35.photobucket.com/use...-06om214309.png.html

I'm wondering why it suddenly displays differently. This seemed the right forum for that.

I tried to look but the pic is too blurry to see what you're referring to. Does it say "Private to" at the beginning?  Was any of it inside the brackets?

Hmmm... try this link perhaps? http://i35.photobucket.com/alb...m214309.png~original

It doesn't say private to the second time, but I logged out to see the post as a visitor and the private line didn't show.

Ah!  That would be a Secret line!  They fall in with the rest of the text but only the person it is meant for (and the GMs) can see it.

Wait, what is the difference between private and secret lines? Maybe I should reread the help section...

So, basically it is the same, except that it does not stand between brackets (and perhaps the intended person does not know that he/she is reading something private?

In reply to Frili (msg # 6):

Exactly. That's one reason I don't use them often: I don't want players responding openly to something that isn't public knowledge. It looks better in the flow of the post, tho.

It's an elegant solution for posting roll results. Specific secret info is better known secretly though, indeed.

In reply to Frili (msg # 8):

Roll results!  I didn't think of that!

I have used them before to reveal a detail that might have seemed normal and may be just be unnecessary details that only one or more person notes.  Things that could be mistaken for mundane.  Since the aren't supposed to get any sort of indication it is a secret.  Say someone smells and can identify the stench of brimstone... Or some other smell that is obvious to someone who recognizes it, but may just be smelly to others.  That way you can let people know, but not draw extra attention to the detail.

Were you a recipient and you got an indication by an orange underline?  Or were you a co-GM when you saw it?

I am the GM in that game. But I thought I did a private line, while I must have selected secret line by accident I guess.