Deykari Posted February 7, 2008 Report Share Posted February 7, 2008 Anybody here into play-by-post roleplaying? For those that don’t know what it is, it’s simply where you roleplay on forums by way of your posts dictating your character’s actions. The thread creator would set the scene for some sort of scenario, and people introduce themselves and continue into the story as they wish, creating an entirely player-driven story, the beauty being that there could be all manner of twists and turns as each player gives their input. A forum member would ‘create’ their character to use in the stories as they wished, as everything is completely unbound as there are no mechanics in place. Forsaking all backstory and the like for the sake of example, I could be Deykari the Drow, trained in the ways of the blademaster. The thread creator then paints the backstory/scenario, provides any OOC information that people contributing should be aware of, and from there on, players introduce themselves as they wish, and continue/add to the plotline. As a rule, the thread creator would control the direction of the main plot (think of a DM in D&D) unless it is made clear in the thread that players are given free reign over the main plot. I wonder if anybody would be interested in this sort of thing on this forum, using the world of Aabahran and the Forsaken Lands theme as a base? Not mirroring what happens in-game, just some forum roleplay based upon the FL world. Here’s a quick, not very detailed example just put in for the sake of example: Dey creates a thread “There is treasure to be found in those Tombs, you know.” says the old man. “Treasure beyond your wildest dreams.” The old man hobbles forward, handing a piece of parchment to Deykari. “Use this map to find your way, and remember your old man when you have a spare piece of gold or two will you?” Deykari nods, leaves the hut and then heads to the town centre of Val Miran, sticking up a poster that says “ADVENTURERS WANTING – MEET AT THE TOMB OF THE ANCIENTS TONIGHT!” Four hours later, Deykari sets of west, towards the Tombs of the Ancients. [OOC – All characters are now free to introduce themselves to the story as they see fit. Deykari’s goal is to use the map to locate treasure, and seeks the aid of any who wish to help. Characters can contribute to and alter the direction of the plot as they see fit.] Aulian posts Noticing a dark-skinned, long-eared being walking towards the entrance of the tomb, Aulian steps out of the cover of the bushes, brushing himself off. “Greetings, Drow” he says. “I am Aulian, and I wish to join you with your adventure.” Etc. etc. etc. etc. “Here is a key I found for a door inside, take it.” Aulian gives a key to Deykari. “I heard that there isn’t actually even any treasure here, but we’ll see.” Evangelion posts Watching the exchange of words between the Human and the Drow from afar, Evangelion thinks, “Hmmm, maybe I should keep my distance and hide in these shadows. If I’m lucky, I can catch them both unaware and make off with the loot myself!” Etc. etc. etc. Dey posts “Thank you Aulian” he says, placing the key in the belt pouch. Etc. etc. etc. blah blah blah “Let us go.” Dey says, turning to set off towards the entrance of the tomb once more. ---------- And so on and so forth – except each poster can write things as detailed as they wish, so as to flesh out their own characters and the storyline. Rules of thumb? - Keep everything within the realms of what is possible. Takes the fun out of it when you have people roleplaying that the party is facing a large dragon, a dead end, a trap, only for some SuperMage to have a simple, convenient answer to every obstacle. - Don’t directly control the actions of other characters. Things like “Bob sneaks up on Jack, and swings his knife towards Jack’s neck” is fine – this gives Jack chance to do what Jack would do. “Bob sneaks up on Jack, completely unheard, and swings his knife into Jack’s neck, wounding it” isn’t, because you don’t know if Jack has heard you and reacted, or not. The exception is that if a player hasn’t posted in a while (common, as people do sleep and these things can carry on over a period of days), then as the storyline continues it is assumed that the players not posting are with the main party unless otherwise stated. - Be reasonable, and try to keep along with what’s happening. Everyone wants to be the hero, but it doesn’t always work out like that – realise when it’s time for your character to be wounded, hurt, unconscious, or even dead, or anything else, as a result of what’s currently going on. - If you feel there is anything OOC that you want to add to your post for the information of the other players, put it in square brackets marked with OOC, just to separate it from the storyline. - Other than that, it’s all fair game. I am a huge fan of this sort of roleplaying, and I used to do it a lot on another forum with a large member base that was completely dedicated to it. I’m wondering if there would be enough people interested in getting involved with it on this forum to warrant maybe trying it out? Yeah, go on, you have permission to call me a nerd. Dey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aulian Posted February 7, 2008 Report Share Posted February 7, 2008 You're a nerd... And the fact that you included me in your nerdy circle... Worries me even more... But im still honored.. In a nerdy kind of way? ANYWAY... Yeah why not? I'd participate if only for the opportunity to see Dey die in some other sort of medium besides FL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudder Posted February 7, 2008 Report Share Posted February 7, 2008 lol. Why not? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a-guitarist Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 I used to do a lot of this type of thing back in the day. Then I found MUDs, and kept doing the play by post. And then gave it up as no one around really kept up with games I enjoyed. I'm always interested in games like these, but my problem with them is I seem to get waylaid by people who post more than once a day. So when I ran the ones I did, ignoring D&D rules, cause I f'n hate D&D, I usually ran with a converted WEG's Star Wars D6 rules. But, hell yeah. I'd be interested. a-g Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corpsestomp Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 How can you hate DnD? And I might do this sort of thing, since I troll the forums constantly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raargant Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 I've done it before. Just not on forums; preferred messaging systems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattamue Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 I used to post a lot on Shadowbane's rp forums before it released in the way back. Then the game came out and I used the mind wiping device from Total Recall to erase that part of my memory. Banging Sharon Stone was nice, too. Seriously, it was nice. Okay, actually seriously, I'd like to join in. A-g is right about using some sort of rules. Even if they're arbitrary dice rolls that you make for us, Dey. If I want to choke you out then you roll a die for yourself and one for me. You get a four I get a six then you're choked. I get a four you get a six then you're pissed I just tried to choke you. This sort of confrontation could be kept to a minimum for serious actions. Something that would take a character out of the thread. When requested by a player with an action or a reaction possibly. There's the chance that we're all cool with stepping into the choke hold if it makes it interesting. I doubt it though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tassinvegeta Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 Tassinvegeta posts As Aulian and Deykari continue upon their journey they notice a gathering of spectators circled around. But of what? Just as the crowd parts a frightened halfling in tattered clothing limps by Aulian and Deykari leaving a blood trail as he screams at the top of his voice "Help a monster is trying to kill me!" Just then the ground begins to rumble as a Fire giant bursts out from the crowd and begins marching toward you feriously as if he's lost his dinner. Then suddenly stops as he notices Deykari. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twinblades713 Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 I'm in Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deykari Posted February 8, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 IA-g is right about using some sort of rules. Even if they're arbitrary dice rolls that you make for us, Dey. If I want to choke you out then you roll a die for yourself and one for me. You get a four I get a six then you're choked. I get a four you get a six then you're pissed I just tried to choke you. This sort of confrontation could be kept to a minimum for serious actions. Something that would take a character out of the thread. When requested by a player with an action or a reaction possibly. There's the chance that we're all cool with stepping into the choke hold if it makes it interesting. I doubt it though. I think any rules should be kept simple (maybe for the time being) so as to make joining in less daunting, considering the size of who would join in within our forum base compared to a larger forum dedicated to this sort of thing. I personally am more of a fan of doing everything in terms of 'reasonable' roleplay than having a set of rules, but understandably this doesn't always work if someone decides to roleplay their character as always avoiding harm etc. I'll give it a little thought. Any suggestions, throw them in. Dey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deykari Posted February 8, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 Couple of resources if people are interested, links to a forum I have literally just joined up and started to use seeing as my work have blocked the one I used to (http://roleplayerguild.com/): http://roleplayerguild.com/f13/elements-of-a-good-forum-based-roleplay-50/ http://roleplayerguild.com/f13/a-basic-guide-of-weapons-and-fighting-97/ Dey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
songofsixpence Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 I happen to love GURPS when it comes to dice-based RPGs. It's nice in my mind b/c it uses 1 set of dice (3d6 is all you need) and the basic rules (albeit 4th ed) can be found online for free. Also, I'd be interested in PbP. It can be pretty fun when done correctly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aulian Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 I happen to love GURPS when it comes to dice-based RPGs. It's nice in my mind b/c it uses 1 set of dice (3d6 is all you need) and the basic rules (albeit 4th ed) can be found online for free. Also, I'd be interested in PbP. It can be pretty fun when done correctly. Wow... I understood like 10% of that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizz Posted February 9, 2008 Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 The only thing I didn't understand is gurps. b/c because PbP play by post 3d6 3 six sided dice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a-guitarist Posted February 9, 2008 Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 GURPS: Generic, Universal, Role Playing System. Pretty spiffy system by Steve Jackson Games. I have the book, just never had luck finding the players. a-g Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deykari Posted February 13, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2008 I haven't forgotten about this, I just want to come up with a suitable storyline first. If anybody has any ideas for a 'story', by all means start something off or post them here. I'll have something soon. Dey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corpsestomp Posted February 13, 2008 Report Share Posted February 13, 2008 Maybe we could get a separate sub-forum for this? That'd be nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deykari Posted February 21, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2008 Okay, I have an idea if anybody is still interested in this. I don't have as much experience starting and drawing these along as I do going with the flow so I'll do my best. The storyline/theme will be fairly simple, to keep it easily accessible to as many people who want to join in as possible. I will make a new thread in OOC Chat once I've written it up (shortly), and any threads made for this sort of thing will be in the format 'RP: ' to make it easy to distuingish - that is, unless the Imms have any objections. Dey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deykari Posted March 4, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2008 Bump. Thread created in OOC if anyone is still interested. Dey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corpsestomp Posted March 4, 2008 Report Share Posted March 4, 2008 Dey, I was wondering if you'd allow posters to come up with battles or the like. I know you're kinda the GM for this whole deal, but say we have an idea for a fight(monsters showing up), that okay for us to put in there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deykari Posted March 4, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2008 Go for it - just brief me in advance with a little PM or something. Dey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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