I find 5 players is my optimal group size, though I generally recruit 6-7 as some will inevitably drop out.

In reply to Tortuga (msg # 726):

I run a game with 2 threads as well, in different timelines. I just keep them very separate, and have to keep very good track of time in case they meet again...

Anyway. Should I bother developing Banestorm New World Hexcrawl? Anyone interested?

In reply to Tortuga (msg # 728):

I guess I am not sure what you mean by hex crawl.

Possibly... following the comments and questions

It's a term from oldschool gaming. Basically exploration focused. Players are essentially driving the story by deciding when to explore, how, and in what direction.

The GM builds a map that, traditionally, is divided into hexes. (Hence the name. Dungeoncrawl vs Hexcrawl) As the players travel and explore, they have wilderness encounters and discover hidden locations, clues to treasure, resources, etc.

How far they choose to explore and when to return to their base of operations to resupply/heal/rest is entirely up to the PCs.

Basically an emergent storytelling sort of thing.

An added wrinkle in this game is the settlement/town management aspect. The players would be responsible for the colony in addition to being responsible for exploration. What balance they strike is a matter of player choice. Neglect the settlement, and you have fewer resources when you come back from an expedition. Neglect exploration, and you'll be caught unawares if and when trouble comes knocking on your gates.

But the key is that it's generally player-driven. Beyond very vague directives, the players are not answering to any greater authority... they choose what objectives to pursue, when and where to explore, and what is best for their colony. All the high-level decisions regarding trade, diplomacy, infrastructure, etc, will be in the PCs hands, with the closest word from the Empire/Kingdom they come from a two-month ocean voyage away.

In reply to Tortuga (msg # 731):

Actually sounds interesting, but I have my hands full right now.

Sounds interesting.  Would the "turn" scale be day to day or moment to moment of exploration?

The general scale is "skim ahead to when something interesting happens." If you're on a fifty mile hike, we'll summarize the terrain you pass through, and only slow down to moment-to-moment if a decision is called for, or if something unexpected happens.

(Ambushed by goblins, stumble across a village, get malaria, etc)

In reply to Tortuga (msg # 734):

Would we play 2 characters so one would be in town versus exploring or would we just leave NPC's back in charge?

Just the one character. You could leave people in charge with general instructions while you were out, though that would be more effective if you had capable allies. Allies are just as fallible as any other NPC, but you can at least be sure they won't try to screw you over on purpose.

OK, I'll try it... unless you slap a whole bunch of rules on our posting.

Nah, in this game the only real posting rule is the one where you give slower posters time to catch up, so they don't get left behind.

And that too can be irritating ;-) ... now that I can sometimes post six or eight times a day ...

If everyone keeps up with you, that's not a problem. :) But otherwise, give everyone present in the party with you 24 hours to catch up and respond.

If you're super fast and don't like to wait, play the sort of character who will run off on their own. Then you don't need to wait on anyone. Downside: You may get eaten.

I posted to Game Proposals about the game to. If I get 5+ interested parties in that thread and this one combined (so far we have 1) I'll make the game.

I will give it a try.

That's 2/5.

Add one of my other games has gone belly up it seems, I'll play.

In reply to Tortuga (msg # 741):

I don't see it...

The proposal thread? link to a message in another game

Game is here: link to another game

Going to have to pass based on what I see of the character creation rules.  Good luck.

What specifically is a deal-breaker for you? I'm open to changing things around a bit.

Seriously, I didn't think there was anything contentious in there.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:58, Tue 23 Feb 2016.

I don't like the constraints of skill benchmarks.  I am fond of some wildcard skills rather than a boatload of individual skills / techniques, and the style limitations seem fiddly.

Your stated posting preferences had me on the fence already - I prefer multiple short shotgun posts rather than narrative paragraphs as I am a very reactive player.

Since I have no doubt you will have many takers for whom these are not an issue I figure I should just make room.