message board style games [Archive] - Wizards Community

message board style games [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Lemernis
01-21-07, 09:25 AM If any of you play message board style PnP type games, how exactly do you go about it?

I got involved in one of these years ago that didn't require extensive knowledge of D&D mechanics (which was good, because a number of players in the game had no tabletop experience, only CRPG experience). For combat the DM did all of the dice rolls for everyone and posted the results (just the basic outcomes). At the start of the game players filled out a character record sheet for their character and submitted their PC's bio. We all purchased starting gear, and off we went. All that was required from there was to get in character and respond to the developments in the game. Nearly all of the interaction remained in-character. Out-of-character communication was so noted. We were fortunate to have a talented DM who kept the story moving and gave out XP and items at just about the right level. It was great fun, actually.

For any of you who have done this, is that how you go about it? Or do you use a more detailed approach with respect to the dice?

If you have ever run a campaign like this, how demanding did you find it to DM? Can you offer any advice for a DM running such a campaign?

Do you know of any freeware tools that might help for a game of this type? I know the d20 System Reference Document (http://www.d20srd.org/) offers character record sheets and other essential resources. And there's this dice roller (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/20040517a) tool from WotC.
Lemernis
01-21-07, 11:00 PM Let me follow this up by asking if anyone with experience DMing this sort of game is interested in DMing a FR campaign for an experienced group of roleplayers, well versed in the Forgotten Realms? We're all interested in playing a game like this but we're spending all of our time working on a D&D related project. I.e., we could find time to play but DMing it will probably create a work overload any of us right now. It'd be nice to have a fun diversion like this as we toil away at the project. I'll supply more details if I get any bites. :)
Walls
01-21-07, 11:21 PM What about a non DMed message board "game"? Basically the premise would be you (by yourself or jointly with others) basically writing out adventures. They could be in short story form, written as if a novel or written as if an actual game or perhaps a weird mishmash of the where you write novel style for the story/roleplaying bit but actually have numbers for the combat, using stats and such? It'd be a completely free form game and board. Could have different subforums for different parts of Faerun, etc, etc. It's an idea I've been kicking around for quite a while.

At the same time you could have DMed game as well on it, combined with those of us more into the creative writing process.
Lemernis
01-22-07, 09:13 AM That's a very intriguing idea, and something we might well explore, Walls!

We might end up having to go that route. I'm a little surprised at how difficult it's proving to find someone to DM a game like this. But perhaps folks tend to be leery of an investment of time and energy like this when they aren't familiar with the players. Or maybe everyone is just as busy as we all are!

Here's some more info on what we're seeking:

I'm curious if anyone with experience with this is interested in running a campaign based primarily in Amn, circa 1345. We'd be using the D&D 3.5 edition ruleset. Source books: Lands of Intrigue and Empire of the Sands, and the three editions of FRCSs. We're very much about keeping with canon. But the setting allows for the DM to fill in a lot of blanks, and to add original content of their own (provided it remains consistent with the lore of the setting).

This is for members of the NWN2 persistent world project referenced in my sig. We have some outstanding DMs on the staff who could do it, but all hands are currently occupied with NWN2 toolset as we toil away at getting the gameworld built. It is turning out to truly a monumental undertaking, and we're pacing ourselves. But there's a risk of overextending ourselves and burning out with all the tasks before us. We'd like a fun outlet too, as we work, but none of us currently has the time to DM this.

A game like this would give interested players (we have about 60 signed up so far) and DMs alike a chance to get to know one another better, and for both to increase their familiarity with the nuances of the setting. I reckon we would have to limit the number of players to 6 maximum.

It'd be great if the adventure offers excursions as well to other locations in the Lands of Intrigue and Shining South such as Tethyr, the Calim Desert, Calimport, the Shaar, Great Rift, Halruaa, Dambrath, and Lurien. These are all locations we would eventually like to feature in our persistent world. It's actually fine to take the adventure to anywhere on Toril in the course of the campaign. But many of our players are looking for a break from Faerun's Heartland, and are seeking a change of pace to the South.

The DM is free to tell whatever story they like, just as long as it's in keeping with the Realms. We may have some continuity with this camapign to the start of our persistent world, we'll see. Whoever DMs this game could be given access to our DM boards in order to avoid any potential collision with his campaign and plots we have planned for our persistent world, as that might be awkward. Or if they plan to be a player eventually I'm sure we could figure out some way to try to avoid such a conflict without spoiling the DM to global plots.

If anyone has an interest in DMing such a campaign, or offering suggestions about it, etc., please reply!
Lemernis
01-22-07, 01:27 PM Ack, I didn't realize there was a classifieds section. So please post any responses to the request for a DM here (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?p=11255758#post11255758).

I'd appreciate any further discussion about how to effectively run a PlaybyPost style game, and/or how to work with the more storytelling/creative writing oriented method that Walls put forth, though!
MerrikCale
01-22-07, 04:32 PM whoops. I thought this thread was about massage style games
Walls
01-22-07, 07:14 PM I could open a board for people to discuss it. The starting of it, maybe with others help start expanding. Could be very interesting! I've been wanting to do this for sometime having done similar games in other genres (superhero being one).
MerrikCale
01-22-07, 08:52 PM I could open a board for people to discuss it. The starting of it, maybe with others help start expanding. Could be very interesting! I've been wanting to do this for sometime having done similar games in other genres (superhero being one).

aah. newsrama right
Walls
01-22-07, 10:01 PM Equinox actually. A lot of fun till seemingly everyone vanished.
Walls
01-23-07, 10:27 PM Someone help me with a name idea for the forum! :)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Lemernis 01-21-07, 09:25 AM	If any of you play message board style PnP type games, how exactly do you go about it? I got involved in one of these years ago that didn't require extensive knowledge of D&D mechanics (which was good, because a number of players in the game had no tabletop experience, only CRPG experience). For combat the DM did all of the dice rolls for everyone and posted the results (just the basic outcomes). At the start of the game players filled out a character record sheet for their character and submitted their PC's bio. We all purchased starting gear, and off we went. All that was required from there was to get in character and respond to the developments in the game. Nearly all of the interaction remained in-character. Out-of-character communication was so noted. We were fortunate to have a talented DM who kept the story moving and gave out XP and items at just about the right level. It was great fun, actually. For any of you who have done this, is that how you go about it? Or do you use a more detailed approach with respect to the dice? If you have ever run a campaign like this, how demanding did you find it to DM? Can you offer any advice for a DM running such a campaign? Do you know of any freeware tools that might help for a game of this type? I know the d20 System Reference Document (http://www.d20srd.org/) offers character record sheets and other essential resources. And there's this dice roller (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/20040517a) tool from WotC.
Lemernis 01-21-07, 11:00 PM	Let me follow this up by asking if anyone with experience DMing this sort of game is interested in DMing a FR campaign for an experienced group of roleplayers, well versed in the Forgotten Realms? We're all interested in playing a game like this but we're spending all of our time working on a D&D related project. I.e., we could find time to play but DMing it will probably create a work overload any of us right now. It'd be nice to have a fun diversion like this as we toil away at the project. I'll supply more details if I get any bites. :)
Walls 01-21-07, 11:21 PM	What about a non DMed message board "game"? Basically the premise would be you (by yourself or jointly with others) basically writing out adventures. They could be in short story form, written as if a novel or written as if an actual game or perhaps a weird mishmash of the where you write novel style for the story/roleplaying bit but actually have numbers for the combat, using stats and such? It'd be a completely free form game and board. Could have different subforums for different parts of Faerun, etc, etc. It's an idea I've been kicking around for quite a while. At the same time you could have DMed game as well on it, combined with those of us more into the creative writing process.
Lemernis 01-22-07, 09:13 AM	That's a very intriguing idea, and something we might well explore, Walls! We might end up having to go that route. I'm a little surprised at how difficult it's proving to find someone to DM a game like this. But perhaps folks tend to be leery of an investment of time and energy like this when they aren't familiar with the players. Or maybe everyone is just as busy as we all are! Here's some more info on what we're seeking: I'm curious if anyone with experience with this is interested in running a campaign based primarily in Amn, circa 1345. We'd be using the D&D 3.5 edition ruleset. Source books: Lands of Intrigue and Empire of the Sands, and the three editions of FRCSs. We're very much about keeping with canon. But the setting allows for the DM to fill in a lot of blanks, and to add original content of their own (provided it remains consistent with the lore of the setting). This is for members of the NWN2 persistent world project referenced in my sig. We have some outstanding DMs on the staff who could do it, but all hands are currently occupied with NWN2 toolset as we toil away at getting the gameworld built. It is turning out to truly a monumental undertaking, and we're pacing ourselves. But there's a risk of overextending ourselves and burning out with all the tasks before us. We'd like a fun outlet too, as we work, but none of us currently has the time to DM this. A game like this would give interested players (we have about 60 signed up so far) and DMs alike a chance to get to know one another better, and for both to increase their familiarity with the nuances of the setting. I reckon we would have to limit the number of players to 6 maximum. It'd be great if the adventure offers excursions as well to other locations in the Lands of Intrigue and Shining South such as Tethyr, the Calim Desert, Calimport, the Shaar, Great Rift, Halruaa, Dambrath, and Lurien. These are all locations we would eventually like to feature in our persistent world. It's actually fine to take the adventure to anywhere on Toril in the course of the campaign. But many of our players are looking for a break from Faerun's Heartland, and are seeking a change of pace to the South. The DM is free to tell whatever story they like, just as long as it's in keeping with the Realms. We may have some continuity with this camapign to the start of our persistent world, we'll see. Whoever DMs this game could be given access to our DM boards in order to avoid any potential collision with his campaign and plots we have planned for our persistent world, as that might be awkward. Or if they plan to be a player eventually I'm sure we could figure out some way to try to avoid such a conflict without spoiling the DM to global plots. If anyone has an interest in DMing such a campaign, or offering suggestions about it, etc., please reply!
Lemernis 01-22-07, 01:27 PM	Ack, I didn't realize there was a classifieds section. So please post any responses to the request for a DM here (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?p=11255758#post11255758). I'd appreciate any further discussion about how to effectively run a PlaybyPost style game, and/or how to work with the more storytelling/creative writing oriented method that Walls put forth, though!
MerrikCale 01-22-07, 04:32 PM	whoops. I thought this thread was about massage style games
Walls 01-22-07, 07:14 PM	I could open a board for people to discuss it. The starting of it, maybe with others help start expanding. Could be very interesting! I've been wanting to do this for sometime having done similar games in other genres (superhero being one).
MerrikCale 01-22-07, 08:52 PM	I could open a board for people to discuss it. The starting of it, maybe with others help start expanding. Could be very interesting! I've been wanting to do this for sometime having done similar games in other genres (superhero being one). aah. newsrama right
Walls 01-22-07, 10:01 PM	Equinox actually. A lot of fun till seemingly everyone vanished.
Walls 01-23-07, 10:27 PM	Someone help me with a name idea for the forum! :)