Previously when I ran these games, I had one very important rule:

Players NEVER, EVER spoke out of character except for comments about being out of town or the like in one OOC thread.  This was pretty easy for me to regulate back in the old PBEM days when moves were emailed to me, I compiled them, and then posted one move for everyone.

With PBP methods, I became more lax, hoping to engender more comradarie and enjoyment.  However, four things happened:

1) I started losing some control over the game...not in what happens but in the style, pacing, and atmosphere.  This has led to long periods (such as now) where little happens but OOC discussions and inventory counting.  In a way, it becomes more of a game I referee instead of a game I actually run.

2) Players start to have back and forth conversations that could be either considered meta-gaming, arguing, or other things that detract from the game and everyone's enjoyment.

3) My ability to conceal NPCs and give you surprises has become compromised.

4) New players are getting scared away by the massive quantity of posting and discussion outside of IC discussion.

I had hoped the comments thread would help, but I think it's caused more problems, even frightening off new players.


AS OF NOW, ON A TEMPORARY BASIS, PLEASE DO NOT POST ANY OOC COMMENTS RELATED TO THE GAME ITSELF.

YOU MAY SEND PRIVATE MESSAGES TO EACH OTHER, BUT PLEASE DO SO ONLY TO CLARIFY THINGS OR SAY SOMETHING THAT IS SOMETHING YOUR CHARACTER WOULD SAY IN CHARACTER.

DO NOT WORRY ABOUT CORRECTING ANYONE ELSE'S MISTAKES.  IF YOU THINK THERE IS A MAJOR ERROR, YOU CAN PM ME AND I WILL DECIDE IF IT'S WORTH CORRECTING.

THIS IS ONLY TEMPORARY, AND

I HOPE IT WILL INCREASE ENJOYMENT OF THE GAME FOR EVERYONE.

Let's try it and see how it works.

This message was last edited by the GM at 18:41, Mon 17 Oct 2011.

OOC: I'm finding it a little hard to keep up.  But figure with a bit more time I will get up to speed.

For the battle, just see what groups you are assigned to and tell me what they are doing.

Flint is in charge of groups 4 and 19 (and one Adaran marked M which is not on the map but is the group of mages helping others--you probably don't need to worry about them).

Flint is standing at #10.

#4 includes 4 archers, a mage, and a cleric (both of whom can cast 1st level spells at your command).  The archers can fire arrows or move from the ledge to the east or climb down and engage in melee (at 5 squares per turn).

#19 is a light cannon manned by 3 warriors (check the mass combat rules for the description and damage for a light cannon)

The enemy orcs are at numbers 13-15.  There are 23 of them remaining.  You can have your groups fire at them or wait.  Remember, you get 10 shots with the cannon.

The orcs seem to have just noticed the ledge with the archers.


This message was last edited by the GM at 18:53, Thu 20 Oct 2011.