Q&A Game Expectations - START HERE
BASIC GAME EXPECTATIONS
Read this First! Please.
For your enjoyment, this is done in a Q&A Format:
What if I can't have my character ready in just a few days?
DON'T PANIC. Finishing character creation is not generally necessary before starting play. Your character is a product of your developing idea for the personality and type of character. Keep it simple. Start with a NAME for him or her.
This game is meant to be fun and not very stressful. Let's keep it that way for everyone's enjoyment.
But I don't really understand all the 2nd Edition rules that well. How can I possibly play?
If you don't understand something, just post what your character intends to do, and I will work out the details (although I do appreciate it when characters give me as much as possible). The downside to this is that I have more work and you may not get all the bonuses if I inadvertently forget something. The upside is that you can relax. WARNING: I highly suggest you take a self-preservationist attitude if you don't fully understand the consequences of your character's actions.
The rules should be available in a word processing format, allowing for easy searching too. We can work it out. Interesting characters are more important than details in the rules.
IMPORTANT:
<b>This game has been going on for so long. Isn't it going to be too overwhelming for me to jump in right now?
This is a common misconception. Again, DON'T PANIC. The vast majority of details in past adventures is going to be irrelevant to you. Even if it is relevant, your character doesn't know anything about it, so why should you?
I start with that premise and fill you in as we go if I think of something your character should know or if you have a question. Otherwise, just knowing the basic setting and background should be plenty. You don't even have to read the adventure summaries if you don't want.
I enjoy watching other characters educate new characters about what has happened when needed. I hope they continue to do so.
But isn't there a ton of detail about the world I should know first?
No. In reality, most people in olden days never traveled far from home and didn't know much about the outside world. From thus sprang many superstitions and legends.
Also, I try to purposefully minimize the amount of description I give about the setting and world. Why? you ask. This way, the world can be developed cooperatively with players, so they don't have to feel they need to fit their characters into my narrow world. Rather, I try to fit my broad world so that your character backgrounds, beliefs, and otherwise can fit. So feel free to create a new deity, a strange background, etc. Just run it by me first so it doesn't conflict with the established settings.
Go to the game Wiki to learn some background. I tried to keep it short and to the point.
Okay, so I want to join, but don't you have enough players already?
Players often drop out for a number of reasons, with or without notice. If I feel we are too full, I sometimes create sidetrek quests to split the group for awhile or modify the adventure to accomodate a larger group. Inactive players or more difficult than the number of players.
So what's this 48 hour rule then?
Basically, if you do not post for your character within 48 hours, I may post for you. If you continue not to post, your character may not survive for long. The world is a dangerous place.
I typically do not post on weekends, so don't worry too much about that. If you'll be absent for any extended time, just drop a note to me (and/or the group), and it will be accommodated.
But what benefits are there to posting regularly?
Your fellow players will like you! The game will move more quickly. Usually (except weekends), the only thing slowing down the game is player post speed. I generally check the threads 2-3 times daily. If there are delays, they are usually because I am uncertain if everyone has posted a move who wants to.
Also, your consistent posting may lead to "fudging rolls" in your favor. The gods occasionally have pity on their faithful servants. :)
Consistent posting results in more Experience Points at the end of an adventure. Believe me, it pays off when your character is advancing faster than others.
But I don't have much time every day! What do I do?
If you have two minutes, you probably have enough time. Typing one sentence is often enough. Just have your character DO SOMETHING or SAY SOMETHING, so that I can know we're ready to move on. There's generally no need to type much, so if you log on daily (or every other day), check the moves and quickly post your character's move, that's all it takes.
Some people like long, literary posts from players. If it's interesting, exciting, action-packed, or even amusing, post it. If it's about your character watching the sun rise as he sings an ode to the earth's beauty, best save it.
But my character has a strange personality. Is that okay?
Humorous characters, unloveable characters, even misanthropes, are perfectly welcome. The only thing that is not welcome is a boring character. Spice up the game...please.
How should I format my posts?
THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT. Please write your posts in PRESENT TENSE, and please only describe things everyone can see from the outside. No one can read his mind, so don't tell us what he's thinking unless you just don't have time and it's something they can tell from his actions or that you would have him tell them if you had time to do a complete post.
Do you railroad characters into a preset story?
No. I create the setting, puzzles, NPC's and the goals. You control your character, and your character can do whatever you want him to (within the confines of public decency). That said, I have an idea of what will happen and a general "story arc." Without this, the game would seem to have no purpose. But if your character went off on a sidetrek, I'd be there. I ask only that you respect the desires of the other players when making such decisions.
I don't like my character. Can I create a new one?
Absolutely. Just let me know, and we'll write out your old one. Your new character will start at 10% fewer experience points than your current one.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:17, Fri 18 Nov 2022.