Quo Vadis

Hey there. Our first job is done.

As of now I'm not exactly sure if and how we proceed.

Some observations I made:
-The D6 system is relatively unwieldy especially for PbP. It has a lot of (free) ressources but I think it's better suited for F2F sessions.

-Fluctuation has been quite high. From the original 6 characters we started with, only Dotty/Emberskyes is left (For which I'm very grateful ^^) Maybe because of the exotic system. Maybe I handled some things wrong. E.g. I have the feeling that the space station detour was a bit of a lackluster.

So I now we have the question on how to proceed. As it is I see three ways:

-Call it a finished game and retire it. I think we all had our fair bit of fun and I hope that you enjoyed the game

-Proceed the game as it is and maybe find two new players. Each of us should have at least a bit of a grasp on the D6-system now

-Proceed but with a different system. Maybe something a bit more rules-light. I'd keep the setting the same but we'd regenerate our characters in the new system. I don't know which one yet but if you want to proceed this way I'm open for suggestions and I'd do my own research as well


However you want to proceed there are no hard feelings.
I'm open for any kind of feedback and until now it was fun to play with you.

Most PBP games I've ever been involved in involve as little dice rolling as possible and as much roleplaying as they can. It's really difficult to do combat just because of lag. As long as you stick to ridged turns, everyone rolls and then you as the GM decide what happens. Where it breaks down is if one person gets busy and can't be on for a few days or a week and doesn't let anyone know.

Also, Astrid was pretty specific Dot bring some relics back as part of reconciling her debit so she's going to do her level best to smuggle somethings, even if they're pocket sized, back. The astrolabe would be awesome but I don't think I can slip it into a pocket, it might be pilferable after everyone else buggers off back to camp.

I mostly played D&D and Warhammer on Pbp so quite mechanic heavy but it was never an issue for me (one 2+ years and still playing). I do not mind lags and slow pace. But the players leaving are the issue for me.

Generally sandbox adventures never worked for the Pbp groups I played in. It was always better to go with chain of oneshoots even if some railroading was required

I arrived pretty late to the party.

With the camp scene and some rolling there, I started to get a feel of what my character can or cannot do. The system while not perfect for pbp seemed quite functional.

For me, the mechanical challenges of the character building and development are an important part that make a roleplaying game more than simply shared storytelling. So I enjoy putting some time on the mechanics and I prefer that over going too much on the rule-light side.

The biggest issue I found into all my pbp game experience (including this one) is the difficulty of finding a coherent group dynamic.
It take times to figure out when to push a decision and when to wait for a consensus and that creates slow and awkward moments. Of course, high player rotation make it even harder, even impossible sometimes.

That said, I enjoyed the setting and playing a really "alien" character. I would be interesting in continuing if our characters have enough common ground to work together :)

I have to second TheVagrant, as late to the game as I entered, it was hard to get to 'know' the other characters. As far as I'm concerned, The next mission would be my characters first 'real' mission. So I'm willing to give it a go.

I can see where playing a wargame would be very different.

RPG’s are paced by the gm. They need to balance, letting the players play their characters and sometimes prattle on for weeks at a time role playing and having fun and pushing the game forward. It’s a weird balancing act.

I’m game for more game. If we are to push forward there was also the turret on the wreck we could take and add to our ship.

Glad to hear that you are still on board :D

I'll advance the story soon. And I'll try to make the pacing a better fit for PbP.
I'll bump my recruitment post and if someone applies we can work their character into the story as we go.

For the things you want to do that were not resolved:

@Emberskyes: Dotty can take an item with her from the temple. You can choose what it is as long as it is small enough to be inconspiciously pocketed and roughly fits the technology level of a bronze age civilization. Other than that it can be whatever you like.

As for the turret: You can take it with you on the ship but you'll need someone to install it for you as it is damaged and the ship needs some adjustments to make it work. It'll cost a bit but it's vastly cheaper than to buy and install a new turret.

Did we investigate the temple and look for the alien before leaving the planet?

It's not about pilfering anything of particular import but rather bringing back a handful of pretty Alien curios for Astrid to fulfil her side of the bargain. I don't intend to keep any of the items.

Yes. Dr. Salmberg alongside with a team of helpers came soon after Jerry called her. You searched the temple and found no trace of either the alien or archeologist it took with it.

They are also nowhere to be found in or near the camp.

I'll be a bit before I can reply. My mom is going in for surgery in about 2 hours and we're not allowed into the hospital with her beyond admitting so driving about the area and stressing till we get a phone call from the surgeon. Hopefully this afternoon I'll have time, I'll let you know if I'm going to be any longer.