[Larry_OHF]

Let me see if I can help, ZFR. I was in the same boat as you with not having any RP experience except for CRPGs. Then I got busy writing stroy-like gaming here on IWs and ended up getting a role-play forum built for us that were doing so (in BGII forums and GenCon back then).


In the Role-play forum, There are two types of threads. There are gaming threads where a person acts the part in-game, and then there are out-of-character threads that are used for sign-up or discussion about game play.

Have you read the Forum Guidelines and Tips thread stickied there?

There are more ways than one for a game to play out.

1. The story game: This is where a number of people come together and contribute to the story's progression. Each has his or her own part to play and everybody has equal reign.

2. The DM'ed story game: Much like the story game, except there is a definate leader who is calling the shots. People post their contributions to the story, but the game's designer is the one who initiates action by throwing monsters or other aversive tasks at the players. Life and Death are dependent on the DM's interventions in the story and the gamer's ability to survive. This is our most famous gaming style in the RP forum at this time.

3. The True Game: This will more resemble a PnP game. The DM controls all enviroment and is asked questions about the enviroment by the players so that they can better understand what surrounds them. The DM will explain a situation like a battle sequence and the party reacts to the situation by telling what they are about to do, and the DM posts the results of those moves.

In the last two games, it is up to the DM to roll dice on action that could mean life or death to a player. Sometimes, a DM trusts his gamers to roll their own dice at home and post their results.

Since we are not all sitting down at the same table, rather are spread all across the world we have to have the consideration of waiting for our teammates...sometimes for days. There are two ways to meet up and play. You can have everybody in the party meet at a certain time online and play back to back like a traditional game or you can post as it comes back to you. You make a post, and then wait for your friends to post in sequence after you, as they are able. Sometimes it could take a week to get through everybody's move and make its way back to you. If there is a DM, he or she will announce what the posting rate should be, and how tardiness or absence will affect your participation in the game.


Have I covered it all? I cannot think of anything else that you might want to know starting out. I know that right now in the RP forum, there are games being played that are considered DM driven stories. The gamers are helping the DM tell the story but the DM has the game mapped out in a direction he expects everyone to go so as to stay on target. That way, it is sort of open-ended in a way that allows people to be creative, but not sway from the goal. Rolls are calculated by the DM when there is fighting or other action that requires it. If this is not the type of game you would like to be in, then post a request for a more traditional PnP.

The best way to learn to game is to get into a game. I invite you into my game to play alongside Sever and Kazilan who have been great to game with! Their example will help you learn to get into character. PM me if you would like to accept my offer and I will help you set up a character.

[ 05-22-2006, 08:26 AM: Message edited by: Larry_OHF ]