Play-by-Post Games :
Plays by Post games are generally quite free form in manner. Mostly you just post what your character says or does in response to the other posts. Because things can get odd at times, there are a few general guidelines:
1. Give others time to respond: In general, after posting your response, it's generally polite to wait for whomever you're speaking with to respond. Generally give them leeway of at least a couple of hours, probably closer to 24 hours or so. The game will move slowly, but it does move on.
Note: As the GM, I will gather response around the same time each day. If you know you can't post for a few days, let me know what you want your PC to be doing- if players don't respond, I NPC the character for that round so as not to hurt the other players. I'll try to do what's reasonable, or nothing at all- you may have other things in mind for your PC. So, when real life calls, try to give me a heads-up as to what you'd like your PC to be doing.
2. Be polite and keep it PG-13 . . . Nah: Please keep things civil and OOC flames will be deleted post-haste, but for me there is no need to keep things PG-13. Just as long as we do not creep into the Cinemax late night or worse, then we will be just fine. After all, I prefer my movies rated R, why not my RP? We have some younger viewers, this is true, so if you get graphic on something test your own judgment (does this need to be more Nightmare on Elm Street 1 or kinder and gentler like Aliens vs. Predator). I don’t believe this to be too much of a problem in Eberron, unless we run through the Mournland or something.
3. Notation: We're using a pretty simplified notation here, but a few conventions:
Bold Text is used to indicate a more direct action that your character is performing, such as: Swings with his mighty blade of smiting!
Italic Text is used to denote a description about your character or obvious feelings, such as: Looks rather peeved at people and then stamps her foot in anger.
Blue Text will be used when damage is delt, of any kind.
Normal Text and quotation marks (" ") are used for any dialogue (colors are optional, but pick a legible one and stick to it.)
4. Style: Write it the typical 3rd-person semi-omniscient viewpoint you would read in your typical pulp fantasy novel. Think about what kind of a Serenity novel you'd like to read.
Thread Posts:
In Character (IC): Don't start any threads unless the DM (me) has been notified prior. We want to avoid confusion and clutter as much as possible. In most cases I will start the thread to set the scene, and will jump in to add to the events of the scene. (I.E. You choose to enter the third door on the left, and what lurks behind is. . . . <DM Post Here>)
Out of Character (OOC): Anything goes, just remember what you know and what your PC knows aren't always the same. And make sure you notate the OOC stuff. There will be an OOC thread for the purpose of discussion so as to avoid clutter in the main game.
Character Knowledge: Simple, don’t metagame. If you have a character that has High ranks in Knowledge Local and History, feel free to fill in some of the more obvious blanks, but don’t assume you know it all. And if you think its something your character would know, and not you, put a notation in the text (change of color for example) and send me a PM. I will let you know if they would and we can make amendments as needed.
Private Messages (PM): PMing the GM is like attorney-client privilege, I won't be sharing information unless there's a way in the game for another PC or NPC to learn that info.
Turn Sequence: When the occasion calls for turn based actions, the GM will label new turns in the subject line of message as follows: "Turn 1.1," "Turn 1.2," etc. Players may post as much PC-to-PC dialogue as they'd like between turns, but only one reaction to the GM post itself (reaction to an event, or interaction with NPCs)
Changing Locations: In most instances all players will be together as one group, interacting as would be natural to the gaming table in your standard D&D game. There are always times when you split off. If the group separates I will start a new thread and set the scene. It will be open for all to read, but do not take knowledge from someone else’s solo moment and use them as character knowledge.
Combat: In general, combat is going to be slow, please be patient and wait your turn. I will do my damnedest to make it at least seem fast paced, but with time delay between posts what can you do? Combat will be indicated through story and at the end of the post I will place the word combat in bold text. Roll you initiatives and PM them to me. I will post a battle order shortly after. WHENEVER YOU ROLL DICE be sure to give me the break down. I cannot watch you do it, so the easiest way to keep one as honest as possible is to see the match (I.E. I swing my sword = (d20) 9 + (bab) 1 + (str) 1 = 11). If you make an attack or action end your post after the description of the event, the last words being your Die Roll breakdown. I will post a description of the results (i.e. The blade grazed across the breastplate, leaving a visible scar in the metallic finish but little else).
Action Points: You get these for being in Eberron, yeah! When you decided to toss in an action point, follow the same formula as before but add one step (i.e. Balance Check = (d20) 6 + (skill total) 2 = 8 + (action point) 6 = 14). I realize it is a pain in the butt, however it takes no time at all to do, and will help me in the long run. You must declair the action point before the roll (so place the words Action Point somewhere before your breakdown). Action Points go towards your confirmation of a critical hit as well. This means, if you declaired use of an Action Point and then rolled a 20, you still roll the action point and add that the the confirmation toss.
Don't forget to use these when you're in a jam!!!
Skills: Still using these, no reason to ditch them. When it comes a point in the story you will notice that I will tuck in a small notation for additional information. (i.e. The mural on the wall was faded and the picture depicted two towers but little else could be interpreted [Knowledge (History)]). To be fare, this is not a hard and fast where only the skill listed is the one needed. Knowledge History or Local can always be filled in with a bardic knowledge, and if you are uncertain of other skills that may apply send me a message and I will respond with other options. I will do what I can to list multiple options, but I do not want to clutter the post up to much. When you see such a notation, PM me with the results of your Die roll and I will responde to you with the information obtained. You can then use that new knowledge in your next post.
Party Size: I am no fan of huge parties, and so I will limit each group to four or five characters, but this is not to say that I will only have one game. If there are more than four characters I will create more than one game to fill the void.
Character Creation: Because of the lack of visibility to the character creation system, I will be using a 28-point buy system for all stats. Characters will be of 1st level, using core levels only for the creation point (if you wish to dip into some class out of another book when you reach your first level after character creation, feel free to do so). Core levels are as follows: Barbarian, Bard, Cleric, Druid, Fighter, Monk, Paladin, Ranger, Rogue, Sorcerer, Wizard, Artificer, Psion, Psychic Warrior, Soulknife, Wilder.
Any one of these classes, with the exception of the Artificer, can be found for free by using the System Reference Document (SRD) for 3.5 edition from the Wizards of the Coast webpage.
Classes/Prestige Classes: Always ask me for permission on any PrC and any Core class that is not in the PHB. I will give final approval (I can already tell you there will be no hulking hurlers in this game).
Character Background: Make sure you read this, this is critical in my mind. I have one major rule I use and it works perfectly in every game I run. Your character must know two of the other characters in the party, one intimately (ranging from brother to lifelong friend, etc.) and the other as an acquaintance. I realize that the first person to post wont have options, but go back after a few posts have been made. Post your character sheets in the forums, but make sure to indicate the relationship first, that way there are no conflicts. If player A intimately knows player B and is an Acquaintance of C, than that means that C cannot know B like that but can know A or D. Its sounds odd, I know, but it works, trust me. As you work out your histories, CC me a copy of all the tells (preferably to
rlhambly@comcast.net) so that I can keep track of them and put in my input when something becomes unreasonable.
I would like to see a decent background and physical description posted on the boards. If you were to write them in Word, the background should take up one page and the description would take one paragraph. That is the minimum, much like office space and the great flare debate, so feel free to indulge.
I will set the scene soon, but the first four or five people will be in my original campaign idea that will be set in either Thrane or Aundair. The next four I will have to come up with something for you. Characters are placed in groups by time of submission, so be sure to note the calendar date and time of the character above if you really want to know which group you are in. And yes, I will label the threads accordingly.
