Jan 3, 2019 1:06 pm
OOC:
I am going to post a few things regarding my thoughts on the game hereDM Game Musings
Be sure to read and follow the guidelines for our forums.
Jan 3, 2019 1:11 pm
General Game Content
A few game-related things as we get ready to start.
1. If you are going to be away, let me know before you leave, so we can figure out what to do with your PC
2. If you think there may be a roll needed, add it to your post. Even if I don't use it, it saves time.
3. Combat will be done in groups. Everyone rolls initiative, and all people from one group go, then all people from the next group. So, if four of the enemy would normally go between you and the next party member, they all go. Then all party member go before the next enemy. It does not really matter the order you go, just that you all go as a group. That way you do not have to wait on the next PC to post, you can just go. But, you still must wait for your group's turn in the combat.
4. If you have an issue with something in the game, bring it to my attention. No bickering in the game thread. We will take it offline.
5. Similarly, while the occasional off-topic talk in game is acceptable, I'd prefer not to have lengthy off topic posts cluttering the main thread. We can use this thread or I can create another, etc.
6. I treat grabbing and drinking a potion yourself as a bonus action (you are welcome). Feeding it to another person is an action
7. I use Matthew Mercer's Resurrection rules. For those who do not know, here is a link: https://geekandsundry.com/use-critical-roles-resurrection-rules-in-your-own-campaign/
A few game-related things as we get ready to start.
1. If you are going to be away, let me know before you leave, so we can figure out what to do with your PC
2. If you think there may be a roll needed, add it to your post. Even if I don't use it, it saves time.
3. Combat will be done in groups. Everyone rolls initiative, and all people from one group go, then all people from the next group. So, if four of the enemy would normally go between you and the next party member, they all go. Then all party member go before the next enemy. It does not really matter the order you go, just that you all go as a group. That way you do not have to wait on the next PC to post, you can just go. But, you still must wait for your group's turn in the combat.
4. If you have an issue with something in the game, bring it to my attention. No bickering in the game thread. We will take it offline.
5. Similarly, while the occasional off-topic talk in game is acceptable, I'd prefer not to have lengthy off topic posts cluttering the main thread. We can use this thread or I can create another, etc.
6. I treat grabbing and drinking a potion yourself as a bonus action (you are welcome). Feeding it to another person is an action
7. I use Matthew Mercer's Resurrection rules. For those who do not know, here is a link: https://geekandsundry.com/use-critical-roles-resurrection-rules-in-your-own-campaign/
Jan 3, 2019 1:11 pm
Movement
In an effort to try and provide a feeling of time passing during the game I am going to use the following rules regarding movement and searching. If you have any questions, feel free to let me know.
https://olddungeonmaster.com/2016/06/04/dd-5e-tracking-time-in-a-dungeon/
Basically, if gives some rules for Extremely fast, fast, normal, slow, and extremely slow movement and searching. It's pretty decent, and I think will work well for us.
In an effort to try and provide a feeling of time passing during the game I am going to use the following rules regarding movement and searching. If you have any questions, feel free to let me know.
https://olddungeonmaster.com/2016/06/04/dd-5e-tracking-time-in-a-dungeon/
Basically, if gives some rules for Extremely fast, fast, normal, slow, and extremely slow movement and searching. It's pretty decent, and I think will work well for us.
Jan 3, 2019 1:28 pm
Posting
This game note is probably my biggest pet-peeve, having been a Play-by-Post DM since the late 1990s.
The BIGGEST reason games fail is due to a lack of posting on the part of players and DMs. Even here on GP, I started playing in a game that lasted just a couple of weeks before the DM dropped out of sight due to his working on his doctoral thesis. He stated he had finished but then never really got back to posting. Players moved on.
I have been guilty of the above myself over the years, but usually it revolved around my military deployments. It won't happen here without a GOOD reason.
If you will notice, the game description calls for daily posts. I have had to wait 3-4 days for people to respond to my messages, which indicates to me that they are not aware of the daily requirement. Now everyone should know.
I do not expect you to sit on the site and wait for posts, but at least once per day I expect players to check in for any new posts or private messages they may have received. It is understandable that your character may not be the current focus of what is going on, but you may be able to give input to the scene.
For example, you may wish to aid a fellow player with a timely bardic inspiration or Cutting Words spell. You may wish to help give them advantage during a search, etc. For the most part, every player should be able to give input at least once a day, even if it is to say 'I am going to do this unless I otherwise say...' so that I can progress the thread without having to wait.
That being said, when you do post, I would prefer something meaningful. One-line posts are all well and good, but they typically do not at flavor to or enhance the playing experience of the group. I am not saying I expect in-depth, flowery, book-like narrations, but constantly making simple, one-line posts gets tedious and puts the onus of driving the game on everyone else.
If you ask those I have PbP with over the years, you will find that I am pretty laid back. But on this I will take a hard line. If you cannot commit to the requested pace, speak now, or forever hold your peace.
This game note is probably my biggest pet-peeve, having been a Play-by-Post DM since the late 1990s.
The BIGGEST reason games fail is due to a lack of posting on the part of players and DMs. Even here on GP, I started playing in a game that lasted just a couple of weeks before the DM dropped out of sight due to his working on his doctoral thesis. He stated he had finished but then never really got back to posting. Players moved on.
I have been guilty of the above myself over the years, but usually it revolved around my military deployments. It won't happen here without a GOOD reason.
If you will notice, the game description calls for daily posts. I have had to wait 3-4 days for people to respond to my messages, which indicates to me that they are not aware of the daily requirement. Now everyone should know.
I do not expect you to sit on the site and wait for posts, but at least once per day I expect players to check in for any new posts or private messages they may have received. It is understandable that your character may not be the current focus of what is going on, but you may be able to give input to the scene.
For example, you may wish to aid a fellow player with a timely bardic inspiration or Cutting Words spell. You may wish to help give them advantage during a search, etc. For the most part, every player should be able to give input at least once a day, even if it is to say 'I am going to do this unless I otherwise say...' so that I can progress the thread without having to wait.
That being said, when you do post, I would prefer something meaningful. One-line posts are all well and good, but they typically do not at flavor to or enhance the playing experience of the group. I am not saying I expect in-depth, flowery, book-like narrations, but constantly making simple, one-line posts gets tedious and puts the onus of driving the game on everyone else.
If you ask those I have PbP with over the years, you will find that I am pretty laid back. But on this I will take a hard line. If you cannot commit to the requested pace, speak now, or forever hold your peace.
Jan 3, 2019 1:49 pm
Maps
I try to provide visual aid in the form of maps whenever possible. If a map has coordinates on it you can use that as a guide when outlining your action. For example 'I move to B13' or 'I fire an arrow at the enemy on A11'. While I will typically try to have coordinates, if I don't, you will have to describe your movement in terms of a series of steps.
'I move L, L, LD, LD, L' translates to: 'From my starting square, I move Left, Left, Down Left, Down Left, Left'. With that said, each diagonal square equates to a movement of 1.5. If your movement is 30, that means you have a total of 6 squares to move. Diagonal movement eats up 1.5 of those squares.
I try to provide visual aid in the form of maps whenever possible. If a map has coordinates on it you can use that as a guide when outlining your action. For example 'I move to B13' or 'I fire an arrow at the enemy on A11'. While I will typically try to have coordinates, if I don't, you will have to describe your movement in terms of a series of steps.
'I move L, L, LD, LD, L' translates to: 'From my starting square, I move Left, Left, Down Left, Down Left, Left'. With that said, each diagonal square equates to a movement of 1.5. If your movement is 30, that means you have a total of 6 squares to move. Diagonal movement eats up 1.5 of those squares.
Jan 3, 2019 1:56 pm
Encumbrance
I have already posted this in the Character Creation thread, but I am reiterating it here.
We are using encumbrance (including coins) for this game. DnD Beyond does not do a good job of allowing you to offload your equipment to a mount. To get around this, your inventory list is the list of things on your person. Put all other gear in your equipment 'Other' block.
I have already posted this in the Character Creation thread, but I am reiterating it here.
We are using encumbrance (including coins) for this game. DnD Beyond does not do a good job of allowing you to offload your equipment to a mount. To get around this, your inventory list is the list of things on your person. Put all other gear in your equipment 'Other' block.