Hello, and welcome.

OOC stands for Out Of Character (as you likely already grasp).
Most every game you’ll find on RPoL has an OOC thread, where players can chat ‘out of character’.

To post into this, or any thread, just click the ‘Post a Reply’ button down at the bottom right there.
Feel free to do that now.

Button located and clicked on

Awesome work.

You’ve joined a game.
You’ve made your first post (and flamboyantly so, using Bold text to boot).

If I were any kind of net-magician, there’d be a spinning star, with an ‘Acheivement’ icon.

You look like you are feeling quite comfortable with this so far.

By the way, I am working till 6am ... then I’ll be heading home for a day of schleep.
But you let me know when you need to hit the sack.

In reply to Sean (msg # 4):

Whelp, I can faff for a little bit longer, say, an hour, but..been a big day, so id call it then

what would I like royal red? Everything

Something to note when applying to games:
Most games have threads like this ‘OOC’ that you can see when you visit the game ... even if you are not logged as a player.

Many GMs include an ‘RTJ’ thread (short for ‘Request to Join’) in which they spell out what they want from a prospective player in that players RTJ.  These might be things like:
- I require you to be familiar with the game system I am using.
- I am only accepting *these* types of characters.
- I require that you post a contribution to this game once every day.
Etc

If you are considering playing a game, and the GM has posted an RTJ thread, I strongly encourage you to read this.

Of course.

Any time you wish to post a response to a particular post made, as I have here, hit the ‘quote’ button at the top right of that post.

That is Very useful info.
both where to find it, and what they want.
id have tooled around for some time before noticing I suspect

In reply to Sean (msg # 8):

..
and i have found fonty things

So now that you’ve got yourself accepted to a game, and logged, the next logical step is to build a character.
This will be evident, and you are experienced with this.

Let’s say, for simplicity sake, in this Steampunk Investigators game, you will need to:
- give your character a name
- list Body, Mind, Social and Fighting in priority with +4, +3, +2 and +1 ...
because the rules system has you roll a d6 and add your mod (target #5) to succeed at an action.


Go!

You have.
And you are picking this up well and fast.

In reply to Sean (msg # 11):

Steampunk Investigators

- Ingrid De-Vour
-
Body, 2
Mind, 1
Social 3
Fighting 4

And has an italian Racing Bike
This message was last edited by the player at 13:49, Tue 02 Feb 2021.

..and found how to pop a pc image  in the bio XD
Happy dayz!

Absolutely she does.

Now, the GM may have asked in their RTJ thread for either a ‘character concept’ or ‘full character’ to have been submitted.

Either way, once you’re in the game, the GM can re-name your log in, as I have now done.
You can see that you are now logged as ‘Ingrid De-Vour’, rather than ‘Seagoat’.
(You can see this in the top left hand of the game’s site ... or by hitting the ‘Cast’ button in the top centre, where every character can be seen)

Well done, I was just about to talk you through that.

In reply to Sean (msg # 15):

found that :D

poking to see if i can upload images..i suspect i cannot

I do hope they do, that helps direct ideas

Now then, under that ‘Character Details’ button you used to give yourself a portrait picture, you’ll discover that I have opened a character sheet for you.

Go copy-paste your ‘character stats’ into your character sheet.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:04, Tue 02 Feb 2021.

You can.
But it’s not my forte, so I’ve never learned to do so.

When you get into some other games, ask.   I’m sure some Lovely Soul^tm will tell you how it is done.

I'll work it out if I really want, as your correct. someone will assist if i really need.

just poking in FAQs etc.

...and getting that PC bio sorted... XD

Another Acheivement star for you.

So, that’s how to join a game, and create a character.
I think it’s close to your bedtime; let’s leave this for tonight (I know you’ll tool around and continue to take yourself on a self-tour).  Tomorrow night, I’ll show tute you on how to actually play on the site; how to make dice rolls and such (of you haven’t figured it out yet).

In reply to Sean (msg # 23):

Thank you very much

Your help is appreciated.
have a good night, and a good day sleep, with no sun getting in between curtains.

Thank you.
I’m may or may not post stuff for you to find in the morning ...  it otherwise, I’ll post a ‘good evening’ once I start work tomorrow night (later tonight!) and we’ll continue.

Sleep well, friend.

Hi mate,
Ok, so I am on the road again for the night.
When you are ready, I’ll talk you through some game play ... and some of the other elements and conventions that you might find useful.

Have you figured any more stuff out on your own
Have you joined any games yet?

So I am just going to ramble some stuff here, for you to read and absorb.

Slow gaming
Because everything here is reliant on players’ posting rates, forum gaming is very slow compared to face-to-face.   Sometimes, after posting, you may have to wait hours (or even days) for a response from the person you are interacting with.
This means that it can take 4+ months to play through what might take 4 hours at the table.

Game Longevity
As a general experience, I have found that most (2/3?) games on RPoL don’t last very long.   Maybe 1 in every 3 or 4 games you join will live beyond 6 months or so (and in that time, you may not have even played through the first scene, if posting rates have been slow).

As, due to the flakey nature of ‘social media’, players (including GMs) can, and do, vanish.  Maybe they just give up on the game, maybe they get killed in a cat accident.   If this is the GM, the the game suddenly dies.  If it is a fellow player, then any scene or interaction they are participating in comes to a sudden halt. And sometimes, you’ll never find out why.

Just be prepared for this, and don’t let it piss you off.  Adapt and move on.

That seems in line with this sort of thing.

That wont piss me off..just be a "le sigh". But it is useful to be aware of the basic enthusiasm styles tec, before going in. :)
thanks you

at this stage, if i dont mind a slow game..post hours-days between. I can go faster, but I would rather have a slow game, than no game

Posting Conventions
While every GM has their own style (and sometimes ‘requirements’), I have found some standards:

Avoid double/avalanche posting.   Try to let at least one or two other people post before doing so again yourself ... unless the GM, or the person you are directly interacting with, makes a response to you that warrants a reply.

Most GMs encourage you to use a colour for your character’s speech.  This helps it both stand out, and easier to find later when you look back through the posts trying to find what X said.

However, the colour orange is usually reserved for OOC data (such as GM instructions, or posting dice rolls) at the bottom of IC posts. So try to avoid that colour.


I will go now and create an IC thread; in which we can start roleplaying your character, and practising using these conventions.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 11:32, Wed 03 Feb 2021.

im   a huge supporter of making sure other peop0le get a "go".
not to mention actively talking to them/ interacting with quiet Pcs, to try and make sure everyone gets to have fun. group facilitation skillzez..i got em XD

and everyone gets to be "cool" sometimes.

As this is roleplaying, of course there’ll be times that you’ll need to roll them bones.
The site here has its own Dice Roller; that button you can see above.   That online roller handles all rolls and records the results for prosperity.

If you hit that button, it’ll take you to that screen.

The Dice Roller screen has many elements that can be modified to suit the game system being used, and the GMs needs: and most GMs will have ‘configured’ it to their own needs.
For example, if you are playing in a Shadowrun game, the GM will likely have configured the roller for D6’s, set it to ‘record each die’ for the ‘Sharowrun’ system.  The player need only change ‘how many die’ to be rolled, and not the ‘Roll Dice’ button at the bottom. After the dice are randomly generated, the system will tell you how many successes you generated ... and even not glitches.

If you are playing in a World of Darkness game, the GM will have configured the roller page for d10’s.

There is even facility to note a +/- modifier to the roll.

However, some systems use multiple die (numbers and types) in one roll.
Rather than chose a number of die of one type in the top left, you might use the top right of the screen to simply list the dice you need rolled ... individually.    If you are playing DND, for example, and have to roll 2d6 plus 1d8 damage.
List these as d6,d6,d8 to the top right as the roll required.

Does that make sense?
If so, I am going to ask you in IC to make a roll.


Once the roll is made, most (as I say, everyone has their own ways) GMs like to see the roll copy-pasted to the bottom of your post ... in orange

..  it add your +3 modifier from your social stat.

</quote>

not sure if that meant it had been accounted for, or needed me to enter it into the table

Awesome, you are catching on all this well.

When you make a roll, feel free to add a small description for the roll ... down at the bottom.

That is mostly what I wanted to show you, now.
I don’t know if you are readying for bed again ...

There are a few more things that I’ll share with you, and talk you through ... but you’ve mastered the basics for getting involved in a game without making the noob mistakes I did.

Do you have any questions?
Anything you want explained, or expanded upon?

In reply to Sean (msg # 34):

right now, i cant think of anything in particular..
i genrally poke at things and think..then ask if i cant make it make sense.

as to bed..im still kind of faffing about, with a glass of wine.
so..
( edit- i lied apparently...now i am suddenly tired. )

if theres stuff you have in mind, im good for the moment


*my main noob mistakes were not knowing how to do the basic typing shortcuts

and..Getting to involved too fast...but thats a whole different thing*

{and spelling..there will always be over enthusiastic typing and spelling mistakes..yay for edit}
This message was last edited by the player at 14:15, Wed 03 Feb 2021.

Also, once you’ve typed your post, you can hit ‘Preview’ below.
It will show you what your post will look like, before you approve it’s posting.


Ok, so more ...
To add colour and texture to your font, I am guessing that you’ve been using the ‘styled text’ button to the bottom right.
You can also simply type it in manually.
To do so, use the sharp brackets < and >.   To initiate a style, type it’s code inside those brackets.
<b= Bold
<i = Italizised
<u = Underlined
<s = Strike Out
<*colour*> = that colour
... then you end the stylised type with </ >

In reply to Sean (msg # 36):

sweet...
i like the drop down bow..less remembering XD

sudden "i Am tired NOw" ..g'night

Now, if you want to send a message privately to someone, without anyone else seeing, there are two ways:
1/ open a Private Thread
2/ drop a Private Line into a public post

1/ to the top right of this page, you’ll see the ‘Private Messages’ button.  In that page, you can create a message, and nominate at its bottom who will receive it.  That opens a private chat thread between just you and them; where just you two+ can chat, posting back and forth.
You will see that your ‘Private Messages’ button has highlighted now; as I have sent you a private message there.

2/ to drop a private line into a public thread (such as OOC or IC), among public posts you are making, you can use the ‘Insert a private line:’ button-right.  You will be able nominate who can see the private note.


But beware: the GM can see EVERYTHING, everywhere within their game.   So don’t badmouth them thinking they won’t know.

Good night, friend

But beware: the GM can see EVERYTHING, everywhere within their game.   So don’t badmouth them thinking they won’t know.
</quote>

I like to think thats not a thing i do.
if i have an issue that badmouthing is required..honest communication with GM is the go.
hells..honest communication with everyone is the go.

Great to hear that you've found a first place for you to be on RPoL.

I'll leave this 'game' open for a few weeks.  If you have any questions, feel free to pop back in here and ask me.
Beyond that ... enjoy, my friend.

quick update...found out how to post images. ;)
and game joined, bellhollow, is exactly what im after.
99% narrative, die rolls for emergencies only..
characterization and interplay important. and very new-only some days, so nothings happened to catch up on. {increased risk of fall down, but..ill take it. Even a couple weeks of shenanigans will be refreshing.

thanks again Boon Companion

Awesome.

its a small game, only slowly moving atm...but its got some chops.
"Bellhollow Blues - Sandbox Urban Fantasy"
if you're interested in playing without a time commitment

Thanks, but I think I am good.

However, I am playing in a 'Firefly'-based game, using the 'Lady Blackbird' system/rules.
We've lost the player for our teen Hacker runaway ... if you are interested.

In reply to Sean (msg # 46):

yes please. I totally am.
know of the rules..may have a d/l copy somewhere. Haven't played.

Awesome, go check out     link to another game
I've told them to expect you.

had a quick look at character and game world description. but..
as its adult, i have to wait a few days to request acess.
"
As your account was created less than two weeks ago, you must wait until 22:13, Tue 16 Feb before you can apply for access."
computer says no

I have informed the GM, and he assures me that he is patient, and will wait till you can make your application.

How are you finding RPoL?
Has it been the experience you were hoping for?

its been pretty good. yep
the last week and a half ive been on emergency mental health holiday..so havnt picked up lady blackbird properly yet

How goes that game you claimed?
Is it still ongoing?  are you still having fun with it?

surprisingly yes..
there is only one player..it almost died..but, we are running a one player, 1 npc/player story atm :D..

and also have a discord Urban Shadows game thats started with 4 keen players in the last few weeks..Pol is one..which helps for enthusiasm alone..

I actually don't know Pol.   I know we have many mutual allies and associates, but I wouldn't know him from any other enthusiastic piece of soap.

Glad to hear that you are gaming and entertaining yourself, though.

hah....one of the few. :D
thanks for checking in?

things going good for you

All things considered ….

heh..given the misuse of the "?" in my post..that answer is actually perfectly legit :D

for a on pc and one gm game..the rpol game just hit 1420 posts..most in game story. :D
Big bad Siren Flambe XD.
even if only one player..we are making story,and Im , hopefully, improving story writing skills
Thanks again for the introduction to the site

Oh, my pleasure.  I am glad you are enjoying yourself, and getting so much out of this.

An all new  Lady Blackbird  game starting up:
link to another game

In reply to Sean (msg # 62):

thanks!
request sent..as a new game..i can commit, rather than almost commit ..then shy away because too much over whelming info to take on.

and im off and running.
thanks for the heads up. :D

No worries

How goes things, yonder friend?
I hope you are well,  in RPoL  and in Real Life^tm.

I'll likely delete this little game thread soon, as I see no need for it gumming up my games page ... unless you feel a need to keep it?

In reply to Sean (msg # 66):

..
IRL-much better..
On this forum..my games died in the arse..but gave me what I needed at the time.
So..yeah..delete this thread...Im good

Thanks Heaps for taking the time to check, And for showing me the ropes. Greatly appreciated my friendo.