Difference between revisions of "GM/Player Expectations"
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| − | '''Dice Rolls:''' I will be using [http://orokos.com/roll/?action=roll '''Orokos'''] for my dice rolls, and will link all rolls there for verification. Typically, I prefer to roll for the NPCs and for the players to roll for their PCs as much as possible. | + | '''Dice Rolls / Sequence of Events:''' I will be using [http://orokos.com/roll/?action=roll '''Orokos'''] for my dice rolls, and will link all rolls there for verification. Typically, I prefer to roll for the NPCs and for the players to roll for their PCs as much as possible. My preferred method for resolving scenes is for the players to give detailed descriptions of what each of you is doing/attempting to do (including any necessary rolls) and after everyone has posted (or after 24 hours), I will come back with NPC actions / reactions and narrate in detail how everything played out. |
As described below, all rolls/roll descriptions will be sblock formatted [details on how to do that in the player section if needed]. | As described below, all rolls/roll descriptions will be sblock formatted [details on how to do that in the player section if needed]. | ||
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| − | '''Dice Rolls:''' After you've typed up your narrative description of whatever you are doing/saying, if a dice roll is necessary it should be posted at the end and s-blocked (please do not use regular spoiler code). The sblock should include a brief player-side description of the dice roll. What dice you are using and what you are specifically attempting. And finally the dice roll itself, which should link back to your actual roll on the online dice roller. If a followup roll might be warranted (such as the case of damage after an attack) roll those dice as well and post them together. | + | '''Dice Rolls / Sequence of Events:''' After you've typed up your narrative description of whatever you are doing/saying, if a dice roll is necessary it should be posted at the end and s-blocked (please do not use regular spoiler code). The sblock should include a brief player-side description of the dice roll. What dice you are using and what you are specifically attempting. And finally the dice roll itself, which should link back to your actual roll on the online dice roller. If a followup roll might be warranted (such as the case of damage after an attack) roll those dice as well and post them together. |
| − | + | As mentioned above, once you've given detailed descriptions of what each of you is doing/attempting to do (including any necessary rolls) and after everyone has posted (or after 24 hours), I will come back with NPC actions / reactions and narrate in detail how everything played out. This format is only for actions requiring a GM response. PCs can interact with one another to your hearts' content without my involvement. | |
---- | ---- | ||
| − | Note: I prefer [and will be using] [http://orokos.com/roll/?action=roll '''Orokos'''], but so long as I don't have to create a special login to see your linked rolls, I don't much care what roller you use. | + | |
| + | '''Note:''' Please do not wait for me to respond for NPCs to do things they would reasonably be assumed to do. If you order an ale at the tavern, the barkeep / barmaid can be assumed to bring it to you. If you drop your horses at the stable, the stablehand can be assumed to handle your mounts without me having to post saying so, etc. | ||
| + | ---- | ||
| + | '''Note:''' I prefer [and will be using] [http://orokos.com/roll/?action=roll '''Orokos'''], but so long as I don't have to create a special login to see your linked rolls, I don't much care what roller you use. | ||
To format an sblock in the IC thread, type [sblock=Title] in brackets, then post your dice rolls and relevant text and close it with [/sblock]. | To format an sblock in the IC thread, type [sblock=Title] in brackets, then post your dice rolls and relevant text and close it with [/sblock]. | ||
Revision as of 09:38, 16 December 2016
This page is pretty information-dense, but I'm going to ask all my players to read through it once before posting to the game.
Contents
GM EXPECTATIONS
GM Posting Commitment
Unless I communicate otherwise in the OOC thread or HERE, I will post in IC at least once a day and will be available for OOC discussion throughout the day as time permits.
GM Post Formatting
NPC/PC Name(s): I will identify all NPCs and the PCs they are directly interacting with at the top of each post so everyone can quickly and easily identify all the players in a given situation. If a condition exists (for example [unconscious]) that will appear in brackets beside the character's name.
Setting/Location: Whenever a scene changes I will identify the location and any pertinent setting details at the top of that post.
Dice Rolls / Sequence of Events: I will be using Orokos for my dice rolls, and will link all rolls there for verification. Typically, I prefer to roll for the NPCs and for the players to roll for their PCs as much as possible. My preferred method for resolving scenes is for the players to give detailed descriptions of what each of you is doing/attempting to do (including any necessary rolls) and after everyone has posted (or after 24 hours), I will come back with NPC actions / reactions and narrate in detail how everything played out.
As described below, all rolls/roll descriptions will be sblock formatted [details on how to do that in the player section if needed].
Other OOC: Beyond dice rolls, if I think a specific post needs special clarification I might include a brief sblock note in the IC post.
In similar fashion, I might sblock information for a specific character in a scene if other characters are unaware of that detail for whatever reason. I don't care if other players open and read the sblock. It is just there to clearly identify information that not every character immediately knows.
GM Timezone
I live in [and most frequently post from] the Central timezone (USA), and while I will often post in the OOC thread throughout the day, I will typically reserve IC posts for the evening [usually after 7pm CST / CDT] when I have more time to focus on plot and story elements and looking up pertinent data on PCs and NPCs as needed. That said, my work schedule can vary from week to week, so that is not a hard and fast rule so much as a guideline for when to expect me to chime in.
GM Contact Info
The OOC thread will always be the quickest way to contact me and get an actual response, but in the event that you need to contact me privately you can PM me here or email me at the address below. If you do contact me privately, ping me in OOC and let me know to check PM / Email so I can get back to you as quickly as possible.
For those who find it convenient to know such things, I identify as male for the purpose of selecting pronouns.
EMAIL: brahnamin@gmail.com
PLAYER EXPECTATIONS
Player Posting Commitment
The expectation is that each player posts in the IC thread at least once a day.
If you won't be able to post on a given day, for whatever reason, please give us a head's up in OOC or PM / Email me or post your intended absence HERE.
As best as I am able, I will work out one-on-one with players who announce absences whether / how to run their character for the duration.
Note: My default course of action if not everyone has posted after 24 hours will always be to move the scene along. Missing characters' actions will either simply get passed over (if that makes the most sense in the scene), or I will declare that character's actions in keeping with how they have been played thusfar, to the best of my ability (if having the character NOT act just isn't practical). In either instance, I will post clearly in OOC what is happening and why. Real life happens, and sometimes you just can't be there.
And sadly, many people quit PBPs simply by just dropping out without a word of explanation.
In the event that a player is gone for longer than three days without notice, I will assume they are not coming back. As a general rule, I don't kill off absentee characters. They wander off or otherwise disappear in whatever way makes quick sense in the game, and if their players come back at a later date they can petition to return to the game (considered on a case by case basis).
Player Post Formatting
Character Name: I do not insist, but do prefer players to start each IC post with their character's name on the first line above the main text of the post (preferably bolded and/or in all caps to stand out). It just makes it easier to know at a glance which character we're dealing with, even if you end up mentioning the character's name in the body of the post itself. Particularly for me as the GM having to deal with multiple characters, this helps. I don't always automatically associate player and character otherwise.
Dice Rolls / Sequence of Events: After you've typed up your narrative description of whatever you are doing/saying, if a dice roll is necessary it should be posted at the end and s-blocked (please do not use regular spoiler code). The sblock should include a brief player-side description of the dice roll. What dice you are using and what you are specifically attempting. And finally the dice roll itself, which should link back to your actual roll on the online dice roller. If a followup roll might be warranted (such as the case of damage after an attack) roll those dice as well and post them together.
As mentioned above, once you've given detailed descriptions of what each of you is doing/attempting to do (including any necessary rolls) and after everyone has posted (or after 24 hours), I will come back with NPC actions / reactions and narrate in detail how everything played out. This format is only for actions requiring a GM response. PCs can interact with one another to your hearts' content without my involvement.
Note: Please do not wait for me to respond for NPCs to do things they would reasonably be assumed to do. If you order an ale at the tavern, the barkeep / barmaid can be assumed to bring it to you. If you drop your horses at the stable, the stablehand can be assumed to handle your mounts without me having to post saying so, etc.
Note: I prefer [and will be using] Orokos, but so long as I don't have to create a special login to see your linked rolls, I don't much care what roller you use.
To format an sblock in the IC thread, type [sblock=Title] in brackets, then post your dice rolls and relevant text and close it with [/sblock].
An exhaustive list of RPG.net BB codes can be found HERE.
Other OOC: Any OOC that does make it into the IC thread should find itself hidden behind the sblock code described in the Dice Rolls section above. I'd like to limit OOC content beyond dice rolls to the OOC thread, however, sometimes immediate clarity is needed, and it's easiest on everyone if that comes within the IC post itself. So, if when you are done describing your character's actions and aren't sure if his/her motive/intent is clear, go ahead and post a brief sblocked OOC note to clarify.
All other OOC should go into the OOC thread. Including - perhaps especially - questions for the GM, setting clarity, etc. I am always going to post OOC responses in the OOC thread anyway, and if I get the question elsewhere I have to copy and paste between threads to give my answer context and it's just kinda a hassle.
Player Timezones
For privacy reasons, providing your timezone is strictly optional, but if you are open to leaving the information it can be helpful for everyone to have at least a general idea of where others are posting from to both frame and mitigate expectations. Timezone information can be posted on the PLAYER CHARACTERS page.
Please . . . Just Don't
PVP: If I have one hard and fast rule online and at the meat table it's no 'til-death-do-us-part' flavors of PVP. I am not saying there will never be conflict between PCs or that you can never act against one another, but please don't turn it into a killfest. You don't need a GM for that game, and I won't spend the time GMing that game.
Offstage Chatter
Cross Talk: Love it. Do it. That's what the OOC thread is for. GM questions and OOC jokes and incidental meatworld chatter are generally seen as a given. But I'm not the least averse to the players using the OOC thread as a place to plan and hammer out character strategies, even in situations where the characters literally can't. Call it a means of modeling your characters' innate understanding of each other's tactics as a group.
Wish Lists: If there is something your character is into or wants to be into, by all means, post that in OOC (or PM / Email me) and let me know. The more input you can provide regarding that, the easier it is for me to tailor the game to the wants and expectations of the group.
Feedback: I probably won't get this, but I'll put it out there, because I'm not infallible and welcome any feedback to improve the game. If I've borked something, made a mistake, or you just think something could be done better, by all means please bring it up in OOC [or PM / Email].
