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Post by xerxez on Sept 2, 2023 14:09:03 GMT -6
Hi everyone. This thread is being created to discuss not only our ongoing game but also the EPT rules in general, and how to most effectively run Play By Post Games. I welcome anyone viewing this post to not only provide feedback on these topics but also generally just chat about Tekumel and EPT rules and subsequent editions. Coffee is on, let us chat.  |
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flightcommander
Level 6 Magician
"I become drunk as circumstances dictate."
Posts: 370
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Post by flightcommander on Sept 17, 2023 19:44:34 GMT -6
xerxez As far as play-by-post goes, I think two things stand out in this game: the use of visualizations, and the "jump-aheads" where you assume player good faith and skip past every plodding 10' map square. These together increase both the immersion and the pace of the game. This might not work for every scenario but seems to be working here!
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Post by xerxez on Sept 17, 2023 21:08:19 GMT -6
xerxez As far as play-by-post goes, I think two things stand out in this game: the use of visualizations, and the "jump-aheads" where you assume player good faith and skip past every plodding 10' map square. These together increase both the immersion and the pace of the game. This might not work for every scenario but seems to be working here! flightcommander-- I am glad they are working for you! I hoped the visuals would add both fun and clarification --I enjoyed it and have appreciated the participation and wanted to give a little extra to you guys as this game has been a welcome rest from daily duties. I suppose at junctures I had more control of the narrative then I would probably like at a table but I'm not used to Play by Post and figured it was a good way to compensate for the times when people were busy and unable to post. Also, although alot of elements and NPC's in the adventure are my addition, I am not the author of the original scenario, which I will be talking about soon. There are places in the original scenario which sort of "herd" the characters but it was originally used in a convention with who knows how many players and the GM likely had designed it to keep moving and facilitate a larger group. So at a few places where I may have seemed to offer no choice..(Face the Kayi or enclose yourselves in the tomb, for example), I was following the author's instructions, which left me wondering if it was the best choice for a PbP since PbP seems to be all about Sandbox. I'm thankful for the feedback and the game, you guys made me rewrite a few things by your great choices and roleplaying. I've run this scenario more than once and as fun as those table sessions were I have enjoyed this one the most! I'm currently writing a PbP scenario/mini campaign with original setting and pre-gen characters and this game has really made me work harder at prepping that game, which I hope to share in the forum. I've learned alot from you guys and my own mistakes. |
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Post by scottenkainen on Sept 18, 2023 10:06:59 GMT -6
I am going to keep trying to play, but the furious pace sure makes it hard to participate.
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Post by xerxez on Sept 18, 2023 12:14:53 GMT -6
I am going to keep trying to play, but the furious pace sure makes it hard to participate. I do apologize-- I had a hard time striking the balance, scottenkainen. I feared letting things stagnate but I also would have liked to await every individual reply. I think there was some over description on my part as well. I can say you guys have basically completed the written scenario and finished! There remains only a meeting with your employers in Jakalla. |
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flightcommander
Level 6 Magician
"I become drunk as circumstances dictate."
Posts: 370
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Post by flightcommander on Sept 20, 2023 14:13:51 GMT -6
Apropos of nothing, one of the things I like about Tekumel is that the player characters are all human. This is actually more interesting to me than all the dwarves and elves claptrap (although, there’s a place for that).
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Post by xerxez on Sept 20, 2023 16:45:23 GMT -6
I agree that it makes the game more interesting.
I have a friend who is, to me, probably the best GM I've ever known, and I say that because aside from the fact that he could easily handle a table of up to ten players and keep the game flowing and everyone laughing and having fun, his scenarios always revolved around human interactions and the most basic of plots-- monsters and aliens were very seldom at the center of his adventures.
Even in his sci-fi campaigns, the plot usually revolved around smugglers or imperials, he kind of used aliens and monsters as the occasional seasoning and it worked very well.
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Post by makofan on Sept 20, 2023 19:30:21 GMT -6
All the monsters were instantly terrifying, but of course the real dangers is the civilized humans
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flightcommander
Level 6 Magician
"I become drunk as circumstances dictate."
Posts: 370
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Post by flightcommander on Sept 20, 2023 23:14:06 GMT -6
So one thing I've been thinking about re: PBP is that sandbox doesn't really work for everybody, the DM least of all in my observation, because it's so much work. Even lengthy single scenarios can be problematic. It seems like abbreviated, slightly rail-roady scenarios with a definite goal and a deus ex machina or two really work well in this format. [ie, convention scenarios] Real life always intrudes, and players may have to drop, but this format otherwise keeps players and DM focused on a "finish line".
Not sure if you're planning any future adventures in this Tekumel timeline, but if so, count Mi'kímu (and Fi'ru) in!
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Post by xerxez on Sept 21, 2023 0:01:40 GMT -6
So one thing I've been thinking about re: PBP is that sandbox doesn't really work for everybody, the DM least of all in my observation, because it's so much work. Even lengthy single scenarios can be problematic. It seems like abbreviated, slightly rail-roady scenarios with a definite goal and a deus ex machina or two really work well in this format. [ie, convention scenarios] Real life always intrudes, and players may have to drop, but this format otherwise keeps players and DM focused on a "finish line". Not sure if you're planning any future adventures in this Tekumel timeline, but if so, count Mi'kímu (and Fi'ru) in! Thanks for that input! I definitely invoked deus ex machina but it was a part of the scenario's ending. I would like to run another adventure some time with this group of characters or same timeline, I'd be very happy to have everyone again. I'm a bit busy at the moment with real life stuff but I will consider that. You guys sure made it fun. If your read the original adventure, you will see I ad-libbed and added a few things which were usually a result of you guys! Fi'ru was not planned as anything other than a one off encounter, it was great fun when you guys went looking for him! I got to play a character in the game with him and Karunaz. |
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Post by scottenkainen on Sept 26, 2023 13:34:03 GMT -6
I hope I'll get more time to post next time!
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flightcommander
Level 6 Magician
"I become drunk as circumstances dictate."
Posts: 370
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Post by flightcommander on Dec 21, 2023 0:15:13 GMT -6
xerxez I want to give a huge THANK YOU for the illustrations, which are really fabulous. The portrait of Amiyala is great, and the tableau of the various personalities at supper is just spectacular. Such a treat to see. Thank you for sharing your artwork with us!
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Post by xerxez on Dec 21, 2023 9:09:56 GMT -6
xerxez I want to give a huge THANK YOU for the illustrations, which are really fabulous. The portrait of Amiyala is great, and the tableau of the various personalities at supper is just spectacular. Such a treat to see. Thank you for sharing your artwork with us! I am humbly grateful for your kind words, flightcommander! I try to draw something every once in a while and our ongoing story/game is an inspiration, so I get to scratch two itches at once. I also welcome any art from any of our players if anyone else draws! |
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flightcommander
Level 6 Magician
"I become drunk as circumstances dictate."
Posts: 370
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Post by flightcommander on Jan 14, 2024 21:52:20 GMT -6
We recovered two daggers from the S'su, and Mi'kimu should like to have one. I thought I mentioned this somewhere but am unable to find it. Not a huge deal either way!
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Post by xerxez on Jan 17, 2024 20:37:26 GMT -6
We recovered two daggers from the S'su, and Mi'kimu should like to have one. I thought I mentioned this somewhere but am unable to find it. Not a huge deal either way! I think that is in order! I did forget too but will search the posts. |
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flightcommander
Level 6 Magician
"I become drunk as circumstances dictate."
Posts: 370
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Post by flightcommander on Mar 4, 2024 21:04:41 GMT -6
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Post by makofan on Mar 5, 2024 6:54:17 GMT -6
thx
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Post by xerxez on Mar 7, 2024 7:36:21 GMT -6
Thanks flightcommander, I was just looking for this. I'm going to try and get fresh character sheets up soon.
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Post by dtspurrier1 on Mar 20, 2024 13:25:40 GMT -6
does this level us?
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Post by xerxez on Mar 20, 2024 15:04:43 GMT -6
Not quite yet, I think, but I will do the math today. |
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Post by makofan on Mar 22, 2024 7:12:52 GMT -6
Going out of town again this weekend, my Dad's 93rd birthday, probably won't check in until Monday night
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