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07:45, 19th March 2024 (GMT+0)

OOC and Introductions.

Posted by TakmarinFor group 0
Sand
player, 1 post
test
test2
Sat 6 Jun 2020
at 22:00
  • msg #5

Welcome!

Hey guys, glad to be here

I think we're gonna have fun, this is my first game by play by post, but I have 32 years of various ttRPG experience under my belt. I did play on a roleplaying forum for 10 years, I'm curious to see if it's gonna be the same dynamic.
Sand
player, 2 posts
test
test2
Sun 7 Jun 2020
at 16:18
  • msg #6

Welcome!

Tak, since we are starting level 3, do you allow us some more coins to complete our equipment? Thanks!
Katie's Character
player, 2 posts
Autumn Eladrin
Glamour Bard
Mon 8 Jun 2020
at 03:19
  • msg #7

Welcome!

Well then Tak get to updating my character name. It's Althaea Sylvaranth. XD

It's also my first play by post as well as online game so this could be interesting.
Takmarin
GM, 3 posts
Mon 8 Jun 2020
at 12:26
  • msg #8

Welcome!

In reply to Katie's Character (msg # 7):

So, I just realized there were messages here.  Sorry for not noticing this either.

I've added a character creation post and will be adding another post on Vertigo, where we will all begin/meet.  In your background, I want basically a recap of your journey to Vertigo, why you chose to go there, what you encountered along the way, what you saw in the environment, etc...  I want to build this world together, so please, the more description the better!

I will now make sure to pay attention here.  LOL  Sorry again for my confusion.

Please feel free to chat here!

Also, how do I unlock character sheets?
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:14, Mon 08 June 2020.
Erik Moor
player, 3 posts
Mon 8 Jun 2020
at 16:27
  • msg #9

Welcome!

My, that background example is powerful. I will adjust mine post haste in order to simply be better.

As for character sheets:
There is a Character Details link in the top left. If you click on that you will see that there are some things you can change about your characters and some things you cannot.

Character names and tags as well as the character sheets are locked behind GM access for a variety of reasons on this site. Of those only the character sheet can be unlocked for players to edit. However things like you're portrait, biography, and character description are freely available to be edited as you please.

In some games I've seen people use the biography lines to put in favorite short quotes or quips their characters may be known for in others folks think more mechanically and put their HP and AC as well as things like passive perception or insight. It could be used to mark your race and class or to show what weapons you have available. The standard is different for every game so really it will be up to GM decision and/or group concensus how Bio lines should be handled.

To "unlock" a character sheet, GM, you have several options.
Option 1:
 -Go to each character's details individually
 -Click the option to create new character sheet
 -You can leave it blank or put in a template of your choosing
 -Make sure you toggle user editable
   -(Personal preference: I like to have word wrap On which is another toggle the GM has to do before updating the sheet but everyone's preference is different.)
 -Click Update Character Sheet
 -Repeat for each character

Option 2 (supposed to be easier but I always somehow botch it):
 -Go to GM menu
 -Click edit character sheets
 -Then you choose a file/template to upload for each character (it can be blank if you like)
 -Toggle User Editable
 -Finally click multiple character sheet upload

Provided I've given you the right steps to follow that should unlock character sheets.

I generally use a template to fill in a lot of my character info and there are a several good ones in the Character Sheet Index thread of the Gaming Resources forum.

I'll post an example in a few hours when I can access my computer instead of my phone.
Erik Moor
player, 4 posts
Tue 9 Jun 2020
at 03:58
  • msg #10

Welcome!

Ended up picking up extra work today so I was later home than expected.

Here's one of the sheet templates I use often.

  Basic Information 

  Character Name  :                          Height :
  Character Race  :                          Weight :
  Background      :                          Age    :
  Alignment       :                          Eyes   :
  Deity           :                          Hair   :
  Total Level     :                          Size   :

Ability Scores


  (X) Denotes Proficiency

  ( ) Strength     : 00 (+0)      00 Array + 0 Racial + 0 Level + 0 Misc.
  ( ) Dexterity    : 00 (+0)      00 Array + 0 Racial + 0 Level + 0 Misc.
  ( ) Constitution : 00 (+0)      00 Array + 0 Racial + 0 Level + 0 Misc.
  ( ) Intelligence : 00 (+0)      00 Array + 0 Racial + 0 Level + 0 Misc.
  ( ) Wisdom       : 00 (+0)      00 Array + 0 Racial + 0 Level + 0 Misc.
  ( ) Charisma     : 00 (+0)      00 Array + 0 Racial + 0 Level + 0 Misc.

  Carrying Capacity : 000 (STR x15)
  Push, Pull, Lift  : 000 (STR x30)

  Death Saves
  Success: [-] [-] [-]
  Failure: [-] [-] [-]

Skills


  (X) Denotes Proficiency

  ( ) Acrobatics (Dex)
  ( ) Animal Handling (Wis)
  ( ) Arcana (Int)
  ( ) Athletics (Str)
  ( ) Deception (Cha)
  ( ) History (Int)
  ( ) Insight (Wis)
  ( ) Intimidation (Cha)
  ( ) Investigation (Int)
  ( ) Medicine (Wis)
  ( ) Nature (Int)
  ( ) Perception (Wis)
  ( ) Performance (Cha)
  ( ) Persuasion (Cha)
  ( ) Religion (Int)
  ( ) Sleight of Hand (Dex)
  ( ) Stealth (Dex)
  ( ) Survival (Wis)

Combat Stats


  Hit Points    : 00         Current HP :
  Proficiency   : +0         Temp HP    :
  Initiative    : +0         Total HD   : 3 [3/3]

  Base Melee    : +0     0 Prof + 0 Str + 0 misc
  Base Ranged   : +0     0 Prof + 0 Dex + 0 misc
  Base Spell    : +0     0 Prof + 0 Mod + 0 misc

  Armor Class   : 10    10 armor + 0 shield + 0 Dex + 0 misc

  Vulnerability :
  Resistance    :
  Languages     :

Senses


  Passive Perception     : 10  10 + 0 prof + 0 Wis + 0 adv* + 0 misc
  Passive Investigation  : 10  10 + 0 prof + 0 Int + 0 adv* + 0 misc
  Passive Insight        : 10  10 + 0 prof + 0 Wis + 0 adv* + 0 misc
   *Add or subtract 5 to passive based on having advantage or disadvantage.

  Vision :

Background and Feats


  Background:
  -Other    :
  -Skills   :
  -Tools    :
  -Languages:

  Personality Traits
  -
  -
  Ideal :
  Bond  :
  Flaw  :

  Feature - Description

  Feat - Description

Racial Abilities and Features


  Race     :
  Languages:
  Skills   :

  Feature - Description

  Feature - Description

  Feature - Description

Class Abilities and Features


  Class  :
  Armor  :
  Weapons:
  Tools  :

  Feature - Description

  Feature - Description

  Feature - Description

Spellcasting


  Spell Slots
  1st 0 | 2nd 0 | 3rd 0 | 4th 0 | 5th 0 | 6th 0| 7th 0 | 8th 0 | 9th 0

  Spells Known
  1st -
  2nd -
  3rd -
  4th -
  5th -
  6th -
  7th -
  8th -
  9th -

  Spells Prepared (Class Formula)

Equipment


Armor     :
Belt      :
Body      :
Chest     :
Eyes      :
Feet      :
Hands     :
Head      :
Headband  :
Neck      :
Ring #1   :
Ring #2   :
Shield    :
Shoulders :
Wrists    :

Weapon    :
Weapon    :

Other Equipment :

Money : 0 CP, 0 SP, 0 GP, 0 PP



And here is the code you use to achieve that look. It can definitely feel daunting, and you don't have to use something like this by any means. I just like to have it on site and this is what I've become accustomed to.

<table width="700">
 <tr><td><b><small>  Basic Information  </small></b></td></tr><tr><td><Mono>
  Character Name  :                          Height :
  Character Race  :                          Weight :
  Background      :                          Age    :
  Alignment       :                          Eyes   :
  Deity           :                          Hair   :
  Total Level     :                          Size   :

</Mono></td></tr>
<tr><td><b><small> Ability Scores </small></b></td></tr><tr><td><Mono>

  (X) Denotes Proficiency

  ( ) Strength     : 00 (+0)      00 Array + 0 Racial + 0 Level + 0 Misc.
  ( ) Dexterity    : 00 (+0)      00 Array + 0 Racial + 0 Level + 0 Misc.
  ( ) Constitution : 00 (+0)      00 Array + 0 Racial + 0 Level + 0 Misc.
  ( ) Intelligence : 00 (+0)      00 Array + 0 Racial + 0 Level + 0 Misc.
  ( ) Wisdom       : 00 (+0)      00 Array + 0 Racial + 0 Level + 0 Misc.
  ( ) Charisma     : 00 (+0)      00 Array + 0 Racial + 0 Level + 0 Misc.

  Carrying Capacity : 000 (STR x15)
  Push, Pull, Lift  : 000 (STR x30)

  Death Saves
  Success: [-] [-] [-]
  Failure: [-] [-] [-]

</Mono></td></tr>
<tr><td><b><small> Skills </small></b></td></tr><tr><td><Mono>

  (X) Denotes Proficiency

  ( ) Acrobatics (Dex)
  ( ) Animal Handling (Wis)
  ( ) Arcana (Int)
  ( ) Athletics (Str)
  ( ) Deception (Cha)
  ( ) History (Int)
  ( ) Insight (Wis)
  ( ) Intimidation (Cha)
  ( ) Investigation (Int)
  ( ) Medicine (Wis)
  ( ) Nature (Int)
  ( ) Perception (Wis)
  ( ) Performance (Cha)
  ( ) Persuasion (Cha)
  ( ) Religion (Int)
  ( ) Sleight of Hand (Dex)
  ( ) Stealth (Dex)
  ( ) Survival (Wis)

</Mono></td></tr>
<tr><td><b><small> Combat Stats </small></b></td></tr><tr><td><Mono>

  Hit Points    : 00         Current HP :
  Proficiency   : +0         Temp HP    :
  Initiative    : +0         Total HD   : 3 [3/3]

  Base Melee    : +0     0 Prof + 0 Str + 0 misc
  Base Ranged   : +0     0 Prof + 0 Dex + 0 misc
  Base Spell    : +0     0 Prof + 0 Mod + 0 misc

  Armor Class   : 10    10 armor + 0 shield + 0 Dex + 0 misc

  Vulnerability :
  Resistance    :
  Languages     :

</Mono></td></tr>
<tr><td><b><small> Senses </small></b></td></tr><tr><td><Mono>

  Passive Perception     : 10  10 + 0 prof + 0 Wis + 0 adv* + 0 misc
  Passive Investigation  : 10  10 + 0 prof + 0 Int + 0 adv* + 0 misc
  Passive Insight        : 10  10 + 0 prof + 0 Wis + 0 adv* + 0 misc
   *Add or subtract 5 to passive based on having advantage or disadvantage.

  Vision :

</Mono></td></tr>
<tr><td><b><small> Background and Feats </small></b></td></tr><tr><td><Mono>

  Background:
  -Other    :
  -Skills   :
  -Tools    :
  -Languages:

  Personality Traits
  -
  -
  Ideal :
  Bond  :
  Flaw  :

  Feature - Description

  Feat - Description

</Mono></td></tr>
<tr><td><b><small> Racial Abilities and Features </small></b></td></tr><tr><td><Mono>

  Race     :
  Languages:
  Skills   :

  Feature - Description

  Feature - Description

  Feature - Description

</Mono></td></tr>
<tr><td><b><small> Class Abilities and Features </small></b></td></tr><tr><td><Mono>

  Class  :
  Armor  :
  Weapons:
  Tools  :

  Feature - Description

  Feature - Description

  Feature - Description

</Mono></td></tr>
<tr><td><b><small> Spellcasting </small></b></td></tr><tr><td><Mono>

  Spell Slots
  1st 0 | 2nd 0 | 3rd 0 | 4th 0 | 5th 0 | 6th 0| 7th 0 | 8th 0 | 9th 0

  Spells Known
  1st -
  2nd -
  3rd -
  4th -
  5th -
  6th -
  7th -
  8th -
  9th -

  Spells Prepared (Class Formula)

</Mono></td></tr>
<tr><td><b><small> Equipment </small></b></td></tr><tr><td><Mono>

Armor     :
Belt      :
Body      :
Chest     :
Eyes      :
Feet      :
Hands     :
Head      :
Headband  :
Neck      :
Ring #1   :
Ring #2   :
Shield    :
Shoulders :
Wrists    :

Weapon    :
Weapon    :

Other Equipment :

Money : 0 CP, 0 SP, 0 GP, 0 PP
</Mono></td></tr></table>
This message was last edited by the player at 03:59, Tue 09 June 2020.
Takmarin
GM, 5 posts
Tue 9 Jun 2020
at 13:10
  • msg #11

Welcome!

In reply to Erik Moor (msg # 10):

Thanks Nate, this is a lifesaver!

Ok, I've put the template into everyone's character sheets and made them editable by you guys, as well as putting the word wrap on, as per Nate's suggestion.

Please let me know if you have any issue with them!
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:21, Tue 09 June 2020.
Althaea Sylvaranth
player, 3 posts
Autumn Eladrin
Glamour Bard
Tue 9 Jun 2020
at 18:27
  • msg #12

Welcome!

Blah....do I have to retype my character stuff on here? I already sent you the pdf of it. XD
Erik Moor
player, 5 posts
Tue 9 Jun 2020
at 19:20
  • msg #13

Welcome!

Simply a resource I wanted to make available to you all. Unless it's required by GM feel free to ignore it.
Takmarin
GM, 6 posts
Wed 10 Jun 2020
at 12:26
  • msg #14

Welcome!

In reply to Erik Moor (msg # 13):

Nate, we were discussing the best way to handle combat and NPC interactions over play by post.  In your experience, what is the best way to do so, in order to not make it stretch out over weeks?  LOL

For example, do we perform 3 rounds of combat at a time, rolling for all attacks at once, with a general description of what your overall strategy is?

For NPC discussions, is it better suited for me to monologue and then everyone asks their questions all at once, I answer them and if no further questions, then move on?

Just want to be able to expedite the process so we all don't get frustrated with it.  Plus, if there are any other tips you have on posting, best places to post certain topics/notices, I'd love your input when you have the time.  No rush.

Would you post a new topic for each adventure/encounter/arc?  How have you seen it in the past?

Thanks for you help, it's greatly appreciated!
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:34, Wed 10 June 2020.
Takmarin
GM, 7 posts
Wed 10 Jun 2020
at 12:27
  • msg #15

Welcome!

In reply to Althaea Sylvaranth (msg # 12):

No, you don't have to rewrite it all for the PBP.  It's all good.  :)
Erik Moor
player, 6 posts
Human, Mark of Handling
Circle of the Moon Druid
Wed 10 Jun 2020
at 15:20
  • msg #16

Welcome!

Posting new topics for every Chapter of the story is very useful. Every GM breaks those chapters up differently so ultimately that would be up to you. Mini-arcs make for great chapters though. I've seen a lot of games whose threads look like the following:

OOC - Welcome!
4. Wandering a Forgotten Town
3. The Dark and Dangerous Wood
2. A Strange Encounter
1. The Trail
0. It Begins in an Inn

I would recommend having a dedicated OOC thread and keeping all out of character chatter there. Much like this thread has become. If you ever want to rename a thread to be more fitting a chapter title at the close of said chapter or just have a different title you can edit the thread by clicking on it and finding Edit Thread in the top right corner under GM menu. This allows you to do several things. Edit the title (or subject), change the group that can view it, pin it to the top of the threads listed (notice), archive the thread (revealing all private/secret lines and closing the thread for further discussion), or just close the thread so only the gm can post in it.

For organization I see a lot of GMs pin 2-3 informational topics as notices to keep them at the top and I'd recommend it so as not to lose them amongst other threads. Things like Character Creation, Setting Information, Example threads.

Play by post is inevitably slower than playing around the table. It is one of the biggest drawbacks. That being said, so long as you have an invested core of players you can generally keep the pace up.

For NPC dialogue, as you suggested, it can be helpful to give a little exposition/monologue to start things off and then address IC questions. Although it doesn't have to be done every time. I've been playing in several games for years. In one that is more roleplay focus I've had months of real time fly by during character and NPC interactions because that is what we had agreed as a whole group to invest in, character interaction. In another that is more combat oriented we often fly through the dialogue in a post or two and move on to encounter after encounter. It comes down to how much the group as a whole wants to invest in which interactions. It would be a good discussion to have with everyone. Are you all willing to progress a little slower to get more invested in the NPCs and world around us? If the goal is speed it's best to get the most information out there as is reasonable at a time. Every person should do what they can to drive the story forward and if folks seem like they aren't, then move on.

As for combat, I've seen several methods to try and speed things up once combat has begun. There's always a trade-off of some kind generally placing more responsibility and trust on the players OR the GM.

Something very consistent in most of the games I've played in is making a post describing your turn followed by an OOC mechanics portion of the post. I'll write up an example post shortly.

I haven't seen anyone attempt to post multiple rounds at a time and resolve before. But if you've got a good GM you can trust to generally keep things fair it may indeed be one way to speed up combats as a whole. Although I do see the possibility that it will cut down on PC interaction during combat. If everyone is open to trying it we could give it a go.

Another way to speed up combat is doing away with initiative or modifying it significantly. Have the players post in a block and then the NPCs as a block or vice versa. That way nobody is stuck waiting for their turn and can post as soon as they have the time to do so.

Always roll all potentially applicable rolls in advance.

I'm running short on time but can give some more input at my lunch break.
Takmarin
GM, 8 posts
Wed 10 Jun 2020
at 17:45
  • msg #17

Welcome!

In reply to Erik Moor (msg # 16):

This is perfect, thanks again Nate.  Really appreciate the help.

I'll start implementing your suggestions and please, if something doesn't look right, feel free to say, "Hey DM, that's crap, please fix it".

Thanks for being patient as well.  Work and home life can be quite busy, so I generally can only get on during the weekdays, but will definitely try to login on the weekends as well.
Erik Moor
player, 7 posts
Human, Mark of Handling
Circle of the Moon Druid
Fri 12 Jun 2020
at 14:28
  • msg #18

Welcome!

Boy RL is really kicking me in the rear.

Things I still need to do here.
 - Improve my background
 - Finish my character sheet
 - Update my character description
 - Provide the examples I said I would provide

I'll be trying to get to these over the weekend once I've handled the fallout of handing in my resignation letter at work this week...

How's everybody feeling about the site? I recommend everybody trying out the dice roller feature checking and unchecking all the boxes and getting used to it before the game starts.

Don't forget there are boxes there that allow you to drop or keep lowest or highest rolls and/or reroll 1s and such. As well as making secret rolls. It's all white fun really. Its like flipping switches in the TARDIS sometimes.
Takmarin
GM, 9 posts
Mon 15 Jun 2020
at 19:19
  • msg #19

Welcome!

In reply to Erik Moor (msg # 18):

No worries Nate!  This weekend was really busy for me as well, however I hope to have something on Vertigo for you guys in the next day or two, so you can incorporate that into your background and include it your introductory post to Vertigo.
Takmarin
GM, 12 posts
Mon 22 Jun 2020
at 12:20
  • msg #20

Welcome!

In reply to Erik Moor (msg # 18):

Sorry to hear you are handing in your resignation letter Nate.  I hope that means you've found something better.

So far I'm really liking the site!  It's more simplistic, but I hope with images, I can really bring the game to life.
Althaea Sylvaranth
player, 4 posts
Autumn Eladrin
Glamour Bard
Fri 26 Jun 2020
at 01:57
  • msg #21

Welcome!

I'm excited to start. Is anyone else?
Sand
player, 3 posts
Warforged
Battle Smith artificier
Fri 26 Jun 2020
at 23:03
  • msg #22

Welcome!

In reply to Althaea Sylvaranth (msg # 21):

I'm psyched to start this, can't wait!
Althaea Sylvaranth
player, 10 posts
Autumn Eladrin
Glamour Bard
Thu 2 Jul 2020
at 04:20
  • msg #23

Welcome!

If you guys want to hear the song she sings:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJk7RGtWgP4
Andraste Giltris
player, 16 posts
Half-Elf Female
Envoy of Rau
Wed 8 Jul 2020
at 21:23
  • msg #24

Welcome!

In reply to Althaea Sylvaranth (msg # 23):

I am not sure if this is the right place to post this but I will wait for Sebastien's response to 0: Leaving Already? msg#28. Before my char does anything else.

I feel we need something to organize our responses to events so that our characters are not stepping on each other.
Althaea Sylvaranth
player, 19 posts
Autumn Eladrin
Glamour Bard
Wed 8 Jul 2020
at 22:52
  • msg #25

Welcome!

In reply to Andraste Giltris (msg # 24):

Tak, Sand, and I were talking about that on Facebook earlier. We haven’t come up with a definite solution yet. But we agree.
Sand
player, 176 posts
Warforged
Battle Smith artificier
Wed 16 Feb 2022
at 12:47
  • msg #26

Welcome!

Warning to everyone, I have to do an emergency trip back to my native Canada (I work in the US for now) and my posting schedule will be at best very random for a little more than a week. Please bear with me, I'll have my cell and bring my computer, but time and wifi accessibility will be my limiting factors here.
Sand
player, 194 posts
Warforged
Battle Smith artificier
Sun 19 Jun 2022
at 20:17
  • msg #27

Welcome!

I'll be traveling the next week (20-24 June), bringing the computer but I don't know how much time I'll have to give to RPOL.
Sand
player, 197 posts
Warforged
Battle Smith artificier
Sun 7 Aug 2022
at 14:59
  • msg #28

Welcome!

I'm semi back, waiting for the results of my ritual to post
Gar
player, 77 posts
Tue 9 Aug 2022
at 16:47
  • msg #29

Welcome!

Just waiting on confirmation from the boss, then I'll post
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