Post by vargr1105 on May 16, 2012 21:48:21 GMT -6
GAMING PROTOCOL
--------------------
Here is information on how the game will be run. Any doubts? Just ask.
We are All Big Boys and Gals
Let us do away with prudishness, Humanspace is a violent setting with totalitarian government, shadow societies, slavery and android prostitutes. This will be an adult-rated game. Players may have their characters indulge in whatever vices they wish and describe them with a modicum of good taste. Cussing is perfectly acceptable barring the impediments of the forum filter.
A Feast For the Eyes
I have been collecting a folder of sci-fi art, from Pulp to Golden Age eras and a bit more, I will be using pics on the game threads to enhance description. Please take into account these images are not meant to be representational, but rather, inspirational. So do no be surprised if the PCs' ship changes appearance, for instance.
There Shall Be Music
This is something I have never seen attempted on a PBP and I would like to try it. On certain scenes on the game thread or at the beginning of combat the GM will post a link to an uploaded MP3 music file which should be played as the thread is read. This hopefully will be a contributing factor to mood and atmosphere.
I will try to make the musical themes between 1-3 minutes long. Some may be repeated or a different remix of the same melody used in an attempt to create a theme for an action, situation, location, NPC character, etc.
There was no attempt made to come up with a coherent musical style for the soundtrack, I just went with what sounded right from a variety of sources. So do not expect an overall theme to the game. Some of the musics have inspired whole events of their own which I plain on bringing into the adventure.
Musical tastes being what they are I am fully aware this may be an idea that will be met with varying reactions...perhaps extremely so. Comments about the music are welcome.
Posting Frequency
Let us face it. PBP post scheduling is a pipe-dream when the realities of IRL obligations and different time-zones are taken into account. The GM will aim to post twice per week on average, but should non one hear from me for several days don't automatically assume I have vanished and the game is kaput.
The Game Threads
In as much as possible, OCC notes should be avoided in the game threads. Use the OCC and Combat OCC threads for these. Optimally the game threads should read like a narrative rather than a gaming session.
Dialogue
PC dialogue should written between quotation marks (""). Feel free to write dialogue in a colored font, but please make sure it is easily readable (some people have penchant for bright yellows).
All Capitals dialogue will mean the character is screaming or shouting.
Private Messaging
Private messages may be sent to players on some occasions, such as when their character notices a detail no one else does or has access to information the rest of the party lacks. What the PC does with this info is up to each individual player. So remember to be attentive to your private message folder when there is a new GM post on the Game thread.
Dice Rolling
All dice rolling will be handled by the Game Master to facilitate an expeditious game. Requesting dice rolls for each individual player and awaiting a reply would double the lenght of time required for events to progress when use of polyhedrals is mandated.
The GM shall post all dice results on the relevant OCC chat threads.
Character Sheets
It will be each player's responsibility to make any permanent or temporary modifications to their character sheet, including HP, equipment carried, conditions affecting the PC, gained Experience, etc.
Leveling Up
PCs with sufficient XP accumulated will level up when there is enough downtime available. This will be done on the OCC thread and a reference shall be made in the Game thread about the character taking time to train or undergoing some insight.
COMBAT
----------
Combat is were things usually drag down in a PBP so we will attempt to streamline the process as much as possible.
Going into Combat Rounds mode will be clearly pointed out in the Gaming thread, then players declare their PCs actions in a narrative manner, the GM will post dice results on the OCC Combat thread and describe what happened in the Game thread. After this a new round commences, the players again describe actions and so on until combat is over.
Exiting Combat Rounds mode will then be noted on the game thread.
OCC Combat Thread
There will be an OCC thread dedicated exclusively to combat. This is where questions about an encounter can be asked, specifications about PC combat actions provided and combat dice rolls revealed.
Surprise and Initiative
These will be rolled on an individual basis for PCs, group or individual for foes. Surprised PCs cannot act during the 1st round of combat. Initiatives are rolled for each new round.
PCs, NPCs and Monsters with equal Initiative results act simultaneously (which might lead to interesting results)
Describing Combat Actions
Initiative is only rolled after combat intentions (for both PCs and NPCs) have been declared. Therefore actions during combat should preferably be described on the game thread in present tense and with no certainty of outcome. Consider the examples below:
"Astronaut Hapléss draws his Z-ray pistol at shoots the Cymek accountant in the face."
"Astronaut Hapléss reaches for his Z-ray pistol. This obtuse Cymek accountant has got on his nerves and he wishes to shoot him in the face."
The first example is not very good as the Cymek accountant could beat Hapléss' Initiative and shoot him in the face first.
"Warrior Impeth'oush runs 30' and cuts down the rabid guardsman with his Space-sword."
"Warrior Impeth'oush holds aloft his Space-sword and runs towards the rabid guardsman to strike him down."
Again, the first line assumes the Warrior wins initiative and the guardsman will not be able to outrun him. It also predicts success in the attack roll.
Simultaneous Actions
Oftentimes in PBPs, in combat and outside of it, players declare the exact same action for their PCs. Both will attack the same target or ask the same question to one NPC.
In these cases, unless Initiative has provided a clear order of events, the action from the PC whose player posted first takes precedence.
Non-declaration of Combat Actions
If during a combat round a player is tardy in declaring is PC's action, rather than having the entire group wait for it and delay the progression of the game, the GM will assume the character will repeat his last action; attack the same foe, shoot at the same group of enemies, keep hiding behind cover, etc.
If a player wants his PC to repeat the last combat action (i.e. attack same foe in melee) and is not feeling particularly inspired to declare/describe a 3rd or 4th swipe of the Space-sword in a narrative manner, he may just put a note on the OCC Combat thread "X attacks Y again" and the GM will take it from there.
Vanquished Enemies
While all dice results will be provided the players will have no access to NPC statistics nor will the OCC Combat thread indicate if/when a foe is "reduced to 0 HP". Therefore the status of enemies should be deduced from descriptions on the Game thread.
A fallen foe might be dead, near-dead or unconscious; he might even be pretending. Some foes will perish at 0 HP, other might follow the PC Death rules and other still be adjudicated by some system in-between.
PC Death and Final Words
This will be a "let dice fall where they may" game and player characters can die.
When a PC is dead and beyond hope according to the game rules, unless the situation makes it totally impossible (i.e. his head was blown off), , if the player wishes so he may have him make a farewell speech or say a few final last words and describe is passing away in the grand cinematic tradition of the Death Scene.
This is a narrativistic flavor concession and it should be understood that the character, while speaking for a while longer, cannot be aided by any medical technology or PSY and Super-scientific powers.
--------------------
Here is information on how the game will be run. Any doubts? Just ask.
We are All Big Boys and Gals
Let us do away with prudishness, Humanspace is a violent setting with totalitarian government, shadow societies, slavery and android prostitutes. This will be an adult-rated game. Players may have their characters indulge in whatever vices they wish and describe them with a modicum of good taste. Cussing is perfectly acceptable barring the impediments of the forum filter.
A Feast For the Eyes
I have been collecting a folder of sci-fi art, from Pulp to Golden Age eras and a bit more, I will be using pics on the game threads to enhance description. Please take into account these images are not meant to be representational, but rather, inspirational. So do no be surprised if the PCs' ship changes appearance, for instance.
There Shall Be Music
This is something I have never seen attempted on a PBP and I would like to try it. On certain scenes on the game thread or at the beginning of combat the GM will post a link to an uploaded MP3 music file which should be played as the thread is read. This hopefully will be a contributing factor to mood and atmosphere.
I will try to make the musical themes between 1-3 minutes long. Some may be repeated or a different remix of the same melody used in an attempt to create a theme for an action, situation, location, NPC character, etc.
There was no attempt made to come up with a coherent musical style for the soundtrack, I just went with what sounded right from a variety of sources. So do not expect an overall theme to the game. Some of the musics have inspired whole events of their own which I plain on bringing into the adventure.
Musical tastes being what they are I am fully aware this may be an idea that will be met with varying reactions...perhaps extremely so. Comments about the music are welcome.
Posting Frequency
Let us face it. PBP post scheduling is a pipe-dream when the realities of IRL obligations and different time-zones are taken into account. The GM will aim to post twice per week on average, but should non one hear from me for several days don't automatically assume I have vanished and the game is kaput.
The Game Threads
In as much as possible, OCC notes should be avoided in the game threads. Use the OCC and Combat OCC threads for these. Optimally the game threads should read like a narrative rather than a gaming session.
Dialogue
PC dialogue should written between quotation marks (""). Feel free to write dialogue in a colored font, but please make sure it is easily readable (some people have penchant for bright yellows).
All Capitals dialogue will mean the character is screaming or shouting.
Private Messaging
Private messages may be sent to players on some occasions, such as when their character notices a detail no one else does or has access to information the rest of the party lacks. What the PC does with this info is up to each individual player. So remember to be attentive to your private message folder when there is a new GM post on the Game thread.
Dice Rolling
All dice rolling will be handled by the Game Master to facilitate an expeditious game. Requesting dice rolls for each individual player and awaiting a reply would double the lenght of time required for events to progress when use of polyhedrals is mandated.
The GM shall post all dice results on the relevant OCC chat threads.
Character Sheets
It will be each player's responsibility to make any permanent or temporary modifications to their character sheet, including HP, equipment carried, conditions affecting the PC, gained Experience, etc.
Leveling Up
PCs with sufficient XP accumulated will level up when there is enough downtime available. This will be done on the OCC thread and a reference shall be made in the Game thread about the character taking time to train or undergoing some insight.
COMBAT
----------
Combat is were things usually drag down in a PBP so we will attempt to streamline the process as much as possible.
Going into Combat Rounds mode will be clearly pointed out in the Gaming thread, then players declare their PCs actions in a narrative manner, the GM will post dice results on the OCC Combat thread and describe what happened in the Game thread. After this a new round commences, the players again describe actions and so on until combat is over.
Exiting Combat Rounds mode will then be noted on the game thread.
OCC Combat Thread
There will be an OCC thread dedicated exclusively to combat. This is where questions about an encounter can be asked, specifications about PC combat actions provided and combat dice rolls revealed.
Surprise and Initiative
These will be rolled on an individual basis for PCs, group or individual for foes. Surprised PCs cannot act during the 1st round of combat. Initiatives are rolled for each new round.
PCs, NPCs and Monsters with equal Initiative results act simultaneously (which might lead to interesting results)
Describing Combat Actions
Initiative is only rolled after combat intentions (for both PCs and NPCs) have been declared. Therefore actions during combat should preferably be described on the game thread in present tense and with no certainty of outcome. Consider the examples below:
"Astronaut Hapléss draws his Z-ray pistol at shoots the Cymek accountant in the face."
"Astronaut Hapléss reaches for his Z-ray pistol. This obtuse Cymek accountant has got on his nerves and he wishes to shoot him in the face."
The first example is not very good as the Cymek accountant could beat Hapléss' Initiative and shoot him in the face first.
"Warrior Impeth'oush runs 30' and cuts down the rabid guardsman with his Space-sword."
"Warrior Impeth'oush holds aloft his Space-sword and runs towards the rabid guardsman to strike him down."
Again, the first line assumes the Warrior wins initiative and the guardsman will not be able to outrun him. It also predicts success in the attack roll.
Simultaneous Actions
Oftentimes in PBPs, in combat and outside of it, players declare the exact same action for their PCs. Both will attack the same target or ask the same question to one NPC.
In these cases, unless Initiative has provided a clear order of events, the action from the PC whose player posted first takes precedence.
Non-declaration of Combat Actions
If during a combat round a player is tardy in declaring is PC's action, rather than having the entire group wait for it and delay the progression of the game, the GM will assume the character will repeat his last action; attack the same foe, shoot at the same group of enemies, keep hiding behind cover, etc.
If a player wants his PC to repeat the last combat action (i.e. attack same foe in melee) and is not feeling particularly inspired to declare/describe a 3rd or 4th swipe of the Space-sword in a narrative manner, he may just put a note on the OCC Combat thread "X attacks Y again" and the GM will take it from there.
Vanquished Enemies
While all dice results will be provided the players will have no access to NPC statistics nor will the OCC Combat thread indicate if/when a foe is "reduced to 0 HP". Therefore the status of enemies should be deduced from descriptions on the Game thread.
A fallen foe might be dead, near-dead or unconscious; he might even be pretending. Some foes will perish at 0 HP, other might follow the PC Death rules and other still be adjudicated by some system in-between.
PC Death and Final Words
This will be a "let dice fall where they may" game and player characters can die.
When a PC is dead and beyond hope according to the game rules, unless the situation makes it totally impossible (i.e. his head was blown off), , if the player wishes so he may have him make a farewell speech or say a few final last words and describe is passing away in the grand cinematic tradition of the Death Scene.
This is a narrativistic flavor concession and it should be understood that the character, while speaking for a while longer, cannot be aided by any medical technology or PSY and Super-scientific powers.