OOC Coms

Super happy to be starting this! Especially after this next month, I should have a ton of time to be learning a lot! Thank you to everyone helping!

:)

Thanks for coming! Though it makes me super nervous. This game is something I haven't prepared as much as my other one I've been running in person. Hopefully that means I'll get better at thinking of good things much quicker.

There's a fine balance with preparation as a DM. You need to do just enough that you can fill in the rest as you go. How much that is varies from person to person, depending upon your experience and how much you like to improvise. Too much prep and you either end up forcing the story ("railroading") or wasting your time because the players go off script (which they inevitably do).

In play by post you have the luxury of time. If you need to think of a clever response or flesh out an NPC, you can take a day or so and do that. And this is a learning game, so if you get stuck, we are here to help!

So anyway, it's understandable to be nervous...I was very nervous when I started too! AND...this will be fun, and the nerves will fade. :) As you've no doubt discovered with your friends, DMing is super fun and challenging.

yea, i concure with marithyme.

In my irl game, i've preped enough to make it sound like i wasnt making stuff up but all i've planned is a "they are going to go here. (desc) [encounter]-> room -> room repeat, etc...

I am a firm believer of over preping but not getting upset if they take it off the rrail because worst case, the players don't know what you did or didn't have planned. so you could plop that in... well anywhere else!

Personally I have a method of [start]->checkpoint a(i want this paticular thing to have happen) -> checkpoint b (if necessary) -> repeat as necessary -> [end goal.]

ill probably be able to get a character made later today hopfully! also thanks for allowing the op. to help mentor

Glad to have you! Already getting good advice! Is there someone else I should invite to round out the numbers?

Summer is a quiet time, so tends to be slower recruiting.

Well, we just filled up I think! Good to have everyone here!

You want a food truck? Hmmm... well rustic foods are the norm. Breads and vegetables with game meats. Someone looking for a transportable or easily creatable travel food might come up with an idea for mini bread bowls?

Hope everyone had a good weekend! I hope we'll be able to start the game proper after this week, maybe sooner!

I went ahead and made the first post. I hope I'm not jumping the gun here, but it can sit until we're ready to start if I am.

As far as moving to the next post, should I wait for all players, or a majority of players to make their posts?

Totally up to you. There is a balance between allowing every player a chance to participate and moving the story along. Personally, since this doesn't seem like you need everyone's input, you could move on to the next post.

yea when it comes to the characters interaction thats where it gets a bit hairy cause your waiting for them to respond ya kow.

Hmmm... Is a good approach just to try to stick pretty well to the schedule?

You would have to make a judgment call on when to move on. In cases where there's NPC exposition, you can post without waiting for everyone to participate. Otherwise, if there's a situation where you think a player might want to do something, you can ask, "What do you wish to do?" If you have the sense that a specific character might (or should) do something, you can call them out based on the situation: "So-and-so, are you going to do anything about the bugbear that insulted you?"

During combat, I'll give people a couple of days if it's their turn, as I understand that RL sometimes gets in the way. If I feel that their absence is going on a bit too long and they haven't given me any news about why, I'll play their character for them.

I think sticking to your post schedule is a good guideline, especially since you've asked for just 2 per week. You decide whether to spur the posting on to increase activity, depending on the circumstances.

Writing all that down for future reference!

As far as combat turns go, one or two DM's on here have a system where everyone posts their turn when they can, without regard for initiative, but the DM narrates, figures effects, etc based on the initiative after the fact. How do we feel about that kind of system?

My personal opinion is that we either use Initiative and post in turn, or use side-based initiative and post in any order with effects taking place immediately. I feel it is too much work for the players to have to figure out conditionals, such as "I will cast a spell, unless the monster does X before it's my turn, or if my friend does Y," and then write all of that out. It is also a lot of work for the DM to keep track of everything and apply the results, when you've already got a lot to do.

True... Hmmm... well side-based initiative kind of makes the whole initiative mechanic useless... well, everyone in this group seems fairly active, so posting in turn looks like the better option.

In my games I use a hybrid, where I use initiative but in clumps, so for example:

Player 1
bad guy 1
Players 2-3, in any order
bad guy 2
Player 4

If all the bad guys share the same initiative and you don't care if players go before each other within the initiative order, then the first round results in some or all of the players going before the baddies. After that, it results in entirely side based initiative.

Each round:
- players before baddies
- baddies
- players after baddies

This results in
- players before baddies in first round
- baddies
- all players
- baddies
- ...

There are pros and cons with side-based initiative. Find what works best for you in your game and in this medium, and feel free to change it between battles.

Which brings up a larger point; don't feel obligated to stick to whatever you did previously. If you find a good reason to change something, do it. If you ruled on a decision one way, but had a change of heart, decide differently the next time around. Not saying you have to go back and retcon what happened, but just acknowledge that after thinking about it more, you've come to a different conclusion and will proceed accordingly.

Totally agree. The only wrong way to do this is the one where you're not having any fun, and neither are your players. :)

agreed. though i feel like i missed a post somewhere but. Having fun is winning D&D even if death occures.

I think we'll try posting in turn for now, but might change that later.

I'm not super known for killing player characters. Most deaths actually occur because of other players. :D

I'm sure I'm moving too slowly. I'll try to get things going better soon.

Sometimes things happen. Go at a pace you are comfortable with, and let the RP flow. While it's probably good to avoid too much of a slowdown, you don't want to rush yourself.

I'll be out for at least the weekend. I just moved house, am helping the girlfriend do the same, and then I start the semester on monday. So... I'll do my best to keep going, but I'm going to tentatively say that I might be a bit slow.

Thats fine, it seems to be the nature of the PBP. To be slow that is.

As posted in the Absences thread, since there is the possibility that some do not follow that forum:

Good luck! I hope everything goes best...

Good luck Cancerman

Yea friend stay safe

My own "absence"

How'd you make it through, Cancerman? I was listening to some of the news stories, and it sounded like major flooding...

Personally, I made it through fine. I am not in a flood zone, so the worst I had to endure was the wind, which at the point it reached wasn't hurricane-force.

I hope everything is at least making sense so far, I feel like I'm improvising a lot.

im kosher so far, i like it.

I think it makes sense.

In the interests of providing feedback, I think the mystery, if there is one, could be less subtle. In fiction terms, the story hook could be stronger. Maybe just for PBP, as this scene has stretched over six weeks or so, and we're not really sure if anything is actually wrong.

there may not be anything wrong, and its just the opening to a wonderful scene the "calm before the storm" so to speak?

To be fair, sometimes the players just don't have enough context to suspect something might be wrong in game terms, and can only wait for the reveal. That doesn't mean it's any less dramatic.

And yes, DMing is basically 75% improv.

I'm happy with how the game is going.

Good to hear! I'll pick up the pace a bit. I'll update tomorrow with something, I think everything background has reached a point that will work now.

I'm sorry to be a bother but eariler @Filthy, you said my magic spice pouch. Are we allowed 2 magic items? or just the 1 correct? Cause im all down for the magic spice pouch, im just now getting around to typing up the thing for the Dass lute

>.> i got confused, sorry. Ill edit the post. Im actually away from home for an extended weekend, and posting via phone...

Its no worries, thats why i wanted to double check. I mean don't get me wrong if it wernt for how shitty i am in combat i woudl totaly take that magic spice bag XD

I edited the post.
I'll make a real post tomrrow, and try to move forward. I'm just extremely drained for today...
@ Qralloq I'm definitely trying to speed things up now. Hopefully this will create character motivation.

NO! I want the payoff now! Just kidding, you're doing good.

On another note, and I'm sure I haven't yet crossed it, but what is the implied threshold of "edgy" or "dark" on this site? I've not really encountered a game that mentions violence involving children, unless that child happens to be a player, but I'm just curious.

And I can move fight threads and such into their own folder after we are done using them, correct?

i would assume dark or edgy would be, if some one reads this and you go to jail..

as for moving the threads, I'm sure, but you could also just lock them out of the way i believe, i'm not so sure on moving them completely, you'd have to differ to a specialist for that

"Edgy" and "Dark" are shifting grey lines, and I think a lot has to depend on the context. For example, ghostly possession or an environment like Ravenloft might be considered dark, and there might be situations where it is implied that children suffered a horrible fate. However, in those cases the grisly scenes happened "off camera" as it were, and the players themselves had no part in it. It's just background.

Where I think it crosses the line is when the players are allowed, or choose to of their own volition, commit horrible acts against children. I certainly would object to that, because even though I might play a character that will cut through swaths of opponents with reckless abandon, there is a societal understanding and acceptance that we've become accustomed to in other media portrayals (ie movies, tv). Inflicting violence against children is a taboo I do not cross.

As for a child committing such acts, it's not my cup of tea, but I suppose if there were some... I don't know, acceptable reason for it? Like if the child was a ghost, or an adult in disguise? Eh, that's a situation I'd rather not be put into, but I'd probably judge those on a case-by-case basis.
As for moving threads, near the bottom of the page there will be a drop-down menu labeled "Quick Mod Actions." Select the option to "Move Thread," click on "Go" and you will be given the choice of subforum you want to move the thread to.

Hm... I'll try to watch that closer in the future, tone things involving children down a bit... Thats good to know!

So after fights are over, ill put a summary in the main thread, and move the foght thread into a "trash forum".

Well, like I said it's not a distinct thing.

I mean, I loved the movies Pan's Labyrinth, Schindler's List, and Grave of the Fireflies, and all those movies had young children in dangerous situations, some with violence directed at them, and in all three there was a depiction of a child's death. However, each had a dramatic context behind it that was, in my opinion, carefully crafted. There was serious thought put into that aspect of the story, more than just trying to be dark for the sake of it.

For me, I'd prefer you please leave kids out of it, unless off camera and implied.

Prea will be the last specifically mentioned child then, at least as far as violence and such goes. I really don't want to alienate people...

Im away this weekend, but still reading. I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas or concerns? We are close to closing this chapter...

I have an idea. I was listening to Concrete Blonde's Bloodletting, in particular the songs Caroline, Joey, and Tomorrow Wendy and that resurrected within me the notion of a story. The point of view would be from an unreliable narrator who is either schizophrenic or haunted (it won't be clear to the reader which), and is slowly being driven to performing inhumane acts. It's really a thought experiment to try and understand certain high profile crimes in Canada in the last few years, along with some of the existential torture that a few of my friends have gone through.

Anyway that's my idea.

In the offhlchance that you weren't asking so broadly for any ideas, then as to your game, I think that you've drawn the plot together nicely. Having set a fairly idyllic picture of harvest time in a friendly town, sudden and shocking murders are a great way to grab attention. Excited to see how this plays out.

i concure with the latter part of what qralloq said, you've capitvated the attention.

I'm really glad to hear that! I've had most of this planned from day 1, though I've thrown out specific arcs here and there.
Combat is something I'm especially worried about. I tried to include a bit, but didn't get too far. So I'm going to try to go for more in later segments, if that's okay.

@Qralloq: Would this be for a book, a movie, or a game? It sounds interesting! I had an idea at one point for a small party where everyone played people with severe mental disorder that causes hallucinations...

I was thinking a book. But I have a lots of ideas for books, haha.

Hi all! I;m having major issues with the site not working right for me. Error 500's, 3 minute loading times, posts being wiped, all kinds of fun stuff. I'm trying to post and keep with everything, just wanted to let you know what's going on if it takes longer than expected.

Also, is anyone else experiencing this? I guess if this applies to everyone, this post is unnecessary...

Yeah, for sure. I've posted similar warnings in games I'm running.

Yea im quite sure its site wide :( Kelith posted something about trying to fix it and/or hire help for this.

Okay! Sorry for the impromptu hiatus. Younger sister has beeen in and out of the hospital, including the ICU, and is still recovering, but everything seems fine.

Aqww man thats rough, At least shes doing better!

Sorry to hear that, hope she recovers soon.

Hope she continues to be on the mend! Family before gaming, always.

Hey guys heads up, I wont be posting next week Tue-Thurs. 2/12-14

I will be withdrawing from this game. I enjoyed the concept, and do keep me in mind if it picks back up!