Just curious if anyone has decided to utilize the new features on the forums to create a group and/or a wiki about their Forgotten Realms campaign.
I've started a group and a wiki myself for my Monday Realms game and am actually surprised at how easy it is to use wiki code. The groups feature is still a little buggy (calendar = teh suck) but the group forums works fine.
I would if I had more time and knew how to use it.
I have yet to do anything other than use the message boards. Seems kinda lame on my part. Here they add in all these features and everything and I'm not doing a thing with em. Sounds like the wiki is pretty cool. Keep track of campaign developments and whatnot. I could definatly find a use for that. I'll have to check it out one of these days.
I've got my own forum that I've been using to run my games for the past three years. It works very well so I see no need to fix what ain't broke. ;)
Don't know how to set up a wiki but it seems like more work than I care for. I am of course speaking from ignorance here.
Don't know how to set up a wiki but it seems like more work than I care for. I am of course speaking from ignorance here.
Same here though I'm going to work on deciphering it for the Birthright group.
I'm not... but I got an entire ream of parchment paper a month back from a friend, so I've been using sepia ink to hand-write the plot developments and such. Looks very cool I think, and I've got several other inks I can call upon (burgundy and violet can look suprisingly cool on parchment) to differentiate stuff. Besides, I hate the hum of electronics when I'm gaming, so most digital aids leave me cold unless its prep work.
Don't know how to set up a wiki but it seems like more work than I care for. I am of course speaking from ignorance here.
Same here though I'm going to work on deciphering it for the Birthright group.
Good luck with it!
I'm not... but I got an entire ream of parchment paper a month back from a friend, so I've been using sepia ink to hand-write the plot developments and such. Looks very cool I think, and I've got several other inks I can call upon (burgundy and violet can look suprisingly cool on parchment) to differentiate stuff.
That's awesome and sexy.
I've always used Yahoo groups for my PBeM games, of various genres and settings.
I could see a forum based, PbP, game run under the group feature of this new site. I wouldn't mind one of those right now, given a decent premise/setup and a DM willing to stick with it.
I've always used Yahoo groups for my PBeM games, of various genres and settings.
I could see a forum based, PbP, game run under the group feature of this new site. I wouldn't mind one of those right now, given a decent premise/setup and a DM willing to stick with it.
That sounds like a good idea. I dont game as often as i like and that might do the trick, but how would you stop people from cheating? couldn't you just say " oh wow man natural 20!, holy jeeze man i just rolled another natural 20!!"?
You have to trust people. Some people will abuse it, particularly the Mary Sues/Gary Stus, but most people are honest.
Two problems are that people can edit their posts without any indication now that they have done so. Another problem is that it doesn't offer the option of saving threads so that if the board crashes and loses data, you have something to fall back on.
I've been in games where the DM rolls the dice for major events (plot sensitive point or epic boss battles). Regular encounters and run of the mill checks the players are trusted to deal with. For some significant rolls (like stats), a web-based dice roller can also be used, which saves rolls on a third party site. The problem with PbP is that it's a lot slower than face to face games or chat games, but the advantage is that you don't need to find a chunk of time to meet together.
PbPs are slow (I've got a campaign that's lasted nearly six years and only six months have gone by in the game!) but you really get into the story. It's a great way to play.
Some of my more memorable games were run via email (not too different from PbP). I'm not even a passable actor, so the text format allowed me to get into the actual character more. Some of those games actually went for days of exchanges (pages of text) without any sort of crunchy bits. It was fantastic.
Some of my more memorable games were run via email (not too different from PbP). I'm not even a passable actor, so the text format allowed me to get into the actual character more. Some of those games actually went for days of exchanges (pages of text) without any sort of crunchy bits. It was fantastic.
This exactly. As you said, the media doesn't make any difference - it's the writing. In tabletop, you're able to read body language and intonation. In PbP, you can literally show what the characters are thinking about what's going on. Character development is as much a part of the story as plot is.
*realises topic is no longer really FR-based and tries to think of a way to bring it back on topic* I think one of the interesting things with PbP is seeing the way canon figures are portrayed. I've not read the novels and the smidgen of canon I get is what I glean from online or from my husband's books. I wonder, though, if those more familiar with the novels can pick out which author has influenced a particular portrayal of a character.
Seriously, Silversword, you should consider a PbP. It's how I've been getting my roleplaying fix for years. You could see if there are any already in existence on this board, or take a look around - or of course, try to start a group on one here if you're willing to DM. 
Doesn't bother me if this goes off topic, so long as the good conversation stays marginally relevant.
I'm learning on the wiki the best thing to do is take it slow. ;)
I'm also finding that some things are better put on the group forums feature instead of the group wiki. Q&A on rules questions that come up during play, for example.
My own preference, given that I don't read many novels at all, is to come up with my own takes on them, using the descriptions as little more than sketches for things. Probably why I've developed such a dislike for Nasher really, as I can't stand the way he was portrayed in the games. My own view of him is that he'd be a down to earth fellow, who's cultured, but a little eccentric at times, as I think that works best with the weird following Neverwintans, rather than as a constantly armored, slightly pompous twit who can't see what's going on around him. NWN2 was marginally better about it with the OC, but it went downhill with the second expansion... given Neverwinter's history with Thay, I have a hard time swallowing any ruler allowing an enclave to be established, especially one aligned with the Lord's Alliance and following Piergeiron's lead.
Really, its stuff like that which keeps me from paying too much attention to canon (not that either game was canon, but that's not the point) these days.
Doesn't bother me if this goes off topic, so long as the good conversation stays marginally relevant.
I'm learning on the wiki the best thing to do is take it slow. ;)
I'm also finding that some things are better put on the group forums feature instead of the group wiki. Q&A on rules questions that come up during play, for example.
The blog format on the group profile is also very useful in letting people know if you need players, I would imagine.
Seriously, Silversword, you should consider a PbP. It's how I've been getting my roleplaying fix for years. You could see if there are any already in existence on this board, or take a look around - or of course, try to start a group on one here if you're willing to DM.
Sounds interesting, I just might give that a try. I don't know about me DMing a play by post game, I'd want to play in one first get a feel for it and everything, but if you or Dark Wizard start one up let me know I'd be willing to give it a try.
Got a buddy whos all into Fantasy Grounds 2, which is a program for role playing online but it's like 30 bucks or something then you'd have to get a 4e rules set so i aint even bothered with it. He keeps hypin it up talkin about how you can do this and that on it so i don't know he might suck me in yet.
I'm not a fan of these boards so I'm putting all my campaign details on a obsidianportal.com. My players and I love it.
Impressive website. I especially like the Horn of the North campaign log. Gives me some ideas on how to work up my own group stuff.
Seriously, Silversword, you should consider a PbP. It's how I've been getting my roleplaying fix for years. You could see if there are any already in existence on this board, or take a look around - or of course, try to start a group on one here if you're willing to DM.
Sounds interesting, I just might give that a try. I don't know about me DMing a play by post game, I'd want to play in one first get a feel for it and everything, but if you or Dark Wizard start one up let me know I'd be willing to give it a try.
Got a buddy whos all into Fantasy Grounds 2, which is a program for role playing online but it's like 30 bucks or something then you'd have to get a 4e rules set so i aint even bothered with it. He keeps hypin it up talkin about how you can do this and that on it so i don't know he might suck me in yet.
Sorry to take so long to get back to you, Silversword; I've not been well. I've just started a game in Akanul and have enough players at the moment. However, if I do get an opening, I will keep you in mind, promise. Again, though, don't be shy to see if there's anything on the PbP forums here; I've not looked at them myself but somebody might be running a FR game and looking for players.
I know nothing about Fantasy Ground 2; why does it cost $30?! Is it an MMORPG?
Sorry to take so long to get back to you, Silversword; I've not been well. I've just started a game in Akanul and have enough players at the moment. However, if I do get an opening, I will keep you in mind, promise. Again, though, don't be shy to see if there's anything on the PbP forums here; I've not looked at them myself but somebody might be running a FR game and looking for players.I know nothing about Fantasy Ground 2; why does it cost $30?! Is it an MMORPG?
No, its not a MMORPG. I dont know much about it myself. Its like a chat thing. Everyone logs on and someones the DM and they up load pics of what your fighting or maps or what have you, and i guess you im back and forth like im casting this spell or what ever, and it has a dice roller built into it so every one can see what you rolled, and you got a pic of your pc that you can move around like a virtual table top. I guess the DM version is $30, but if youre just the player its cheaper, like 15 bucks or something. Im just going by what hes told me about it. Heres a link too it if you want to check it out for yourself. Hope youre feeling better.
No, its not a MMORPG. I dont know much about it myself. Its like a chat thing. Everyone logs on and someones the DM and they up load pics of what your fighting or maps or what have you, and i guess you im back and forth like im casting this spell or what ever, and it has a dice roller built into it so every one can see what you rolled, and you got a pic of your pc that you can move around like a virtual table top. I guess the DM version is $30, but if youre just the player its cheaper, like 15 bucks or something. Im just going by what hes told me about it. Heres a link too it if you want to check it out for yourself. Hope youre feeling better.
I am, thank you!
I took a peek, and if I'm interpreting this right, it's sort of what they are hoping to do with DDI. I think I'd be interested in it for the sake of combat but I still like the long, meandering posts my players and I do. :P
I'm not a fan of these boards so I'm putting all my campaign details on a obsidianportal.com. My players and I love it.
I've currently got a Wiki-dot site I'm setting up for my campaign, but was considering Obsidianportal. Do they place any restrictions on Copyright options?
I'm using the wiki to publish world info, lore and other such things to my players for easy access, but for my own homebrew world, not FR. I also do have a site for the group where I post resources and the like but just can't be bothered getting around to installing a wiki on it. Also I think it's nice to use the wizards community for it, as I find my players visit the forums and read some blogs whilst they're here.
As for obsidianportal, I don't know about their copyright restrictions. But unless you pay, your campaigns are public, and I'd rather mine be private.