We'll be running the Paizo Adventure Path - Rise of the Runelords.

The rules are:

1) It's a game.  Have fun.  Let others have fun.  We are all telling a story together.  I’m here to facilitate us having fun telling a great story.

2) I am a Rules-Lite GM. I reserve the right to change or suspend any of the rules as I see fit.  My rulings are final.  This does not mean I’m here to make your life miserable; my goal is a good story.  Think of it this way; if you come up with a legal way to do something that makes absolutely no sense in the context of the story, I probably won’t allow it.  But if you come up with a way to do something that isn’t covered in or even contradicts the rules as written, but it makes sense given what I know of your character, the story, and the situation, chances are you can do it.

3) If you have a problem with another player, please send me a PM and allow me to resolve it. Please do not use the OOC threads or the Game threads to hash out the problem.  That said, please try not to get bent out of shape about what other players do in character.  A good rule of thumb is to give people the benefit of the doubt; they're trying to play a game, not make your life miserable.

4) As a related matter, I would request that you not create a character concept whose prickliness is going to cause a lot of intraparty problems.  If you are, for example, thinking about making a character who is often going to take exception/be offended/sulk about the actions of other party members, you might want to think about a different character concept.  Since this is an online game it is easy to cause hard feelings in other players.  I'm not saying this is right, I'm just saying that's how it is.  Disagreements are okay, and probably inevitable, but let's try not to make them intractable.  Let's keep the focus on opposing the antagonists, not opposing each other.

5) Again on that note, please don't have your character mentally judge other characters without giving them a chance to respond.  If you don't like what another character did, that's perfectly okay.  But let them explain their actions; don't rail on them mentally (which their player can read but do nothing about) and then not have your character give any indication that they have a problem.

6) I will be checking the boards and responding to posts at least once a day, five days a week (on the weekdays) minimum.  Weekends are optional for both you and me.  Players will need to post a minimum of five times a week as well.  If you want to post more that’s great.  If you have a non-traditional weekend I can work with that too, just let me know.

7) Please use the “blue” color for OOC comments including mechanics. In combat please post your initiative, die rolls, and any mechanics after the narrative in your post.
Example:

Boromir looked at his companions as he raised his sword and readied his shield.  "They have a cave troll," he deadpanned with a disbelieving grin, just before charging the monstrosity that had burst through the doors.

Init 14
Charge cave troll
Sword to hit 16 total
Damage 8

8) Please use the RPOL die roller. Players will make all rolls related to combat and saving throws. I will be making all other rolls on your behalf, including skill rolls.  If you want to make a roll for a particular skill just notify me in blue OOC text.  I'll make the roll and let you know the in-game result.

9) Players who attempt to roleplay social skills (Diplomacy, Intimidate, Bluff) will receive a bonus to their totals.

10) Please keep your character sheets updated. If it's not on your sheet, you don't have it.  That said, please don't alter important things mid-adventure without clearing it with me first.  I'll notice.

11)  Keep it PG-13. The game is rated Mature.  Any sexual activity will occur off camera.  Cursing is fine in moderation, but it shouldn’t be part of your character’s regular vocabulary.  This isn’t “The Wire.”

12) If you have not responded to a post within a reasonable time and it's holding up the game, I will NPC your character and take the action I think you would take.  If I am forced to do this, you will receive a “strike.”  Three strikes and I reserve the right to remove you from the game.  I am very understanding about real life issues; this does not apply to vacations or things of that nature.  But if you just disappear without explanation?  I’ll try to get ahold of you but I won’t let things just sit there for too long.  I’ll NPC you, then remove you.  Nothing kills a game quicker than unresponsive players (or an unresponsive DM!).

13)  Along those lines, if you're opposed to being NPC'd during absences, this probably isn't the game for you.  The upside is that we won't have a lot of downtime because of others' absences and the story will keep moving.

14)  Have fun!  Wait, did I say that already?  :)

I reserve the right to add or amend rules as needed.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:22, Fri 23 Aug 2013.