A primer in Forum-based RPGs: For all to read

In anticipation of TFXtreme's play-by-post RPG (which will open later),

here's a background as to how you manage to play in one:

Play By Post is a form of interactive gaming in which players use a forum to communicate and play. Just as in any paper RPG, every player takes on a character, and a GM creates a setting and plot for the story, and manipulating the NPCs. The main difference is that the playing is done over the web.


Instead of telling the other players and the GM what a character is doing, however, the players will write that out in narrative (story) form. Each piece of the story that a player writes is called a post. After a player has posted, the post is read by the other players, who will respond with posts for their own characters. Now, this doesn't mean that each post is supposed to be an entire novel; an average post is generally somewhere around two paragraphs, though it can be much longer or much shorter. While it's generally a good idea to make sure you follow the basic rules of language (using decent grammar and the like) there's no need to worry; this isn't English class, and you aren't going to be punished for putting a comma in the wrong place.

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One of the primary rules of PBPs: there are no automatic kills. You can understand the complications that would be cause if a character was battling an important villain, and included in a post "...and the warrior brought his sword down, slaying the tyrant." The GM very likely had planned to have that villain serve some future purpose, and can only bring themselves to have a certain number of miraculous resurrections take place. The general rule is that if a foe is important enough to have a name, the GM will inform the players when it's permissible to kill it. Before you start protesting that this gives the players a raw deal, I'll tell you that a GM will almost never kill player characters without permission, unless you have done something to anger them very, very, very much.

Personal note: In TFX, yes, we have a highly technical combat system integrated into the RPG. If you're the type who doesn't read rules, you're bound to get shot by someone who can. For further queries, please PM any of the mods and admins for assistance regarding the combat issue.

Likewise, an important rule is not to control the characters of others without permission. While it is generally acceptable to assume that a character would follow along with the rest of the group, making them speak or act in any major way (such as typing in that the elven bard walks up to the barmaid and seduces her) is forbidden. (Taking control of others' characters is commonly referred to as "God-modding".)

Keeping a group of players from all over, who are online at different times, is no easy job. Because of this, GMs (often called "founders") occasionally have assistants called moderators. Moderators are players who have proven their worth and skill either in previous PBPs, or during the course of an ongoing game. They are told at least the short-term details of where the plot is going, what should and should not be allowed to happen, and the like. They are often given the tasks of controlling more minor NPCs, and act in the name of the GM, particularly when the GM cannot be present. Because of the difficulty of running a message board campaign, it is usually imperative that there be at least one moderator.

Players are also able to create and control NPCs, particularly if such characters are an important part of the PC's history. Oftentimes, a GM will even go so far as to communicate with a player about forming a side-quest or sub-plot based on figures or events from their character's past.


SUMMARY

Above are the primary traits of your average free-form PBP. Every group will have its own rules and quirks. The following are a few tips to help you become more successful in playing online:

1. Communicate. Because everyone isn't sitting in the same room, it can sometimes be difficult to work with the other players if you don't talk outside of your posts. Exchange e-mail addresses and any instant messenger screen names, particularly with the GM and moderators. The more you're able to ask questions and toss around plot ideas, the better.
   
2. Be courteous. Avoid any out-of-character wars with other players; if a conflict arises, bring it up through the GM or a moderator. Players at each other's throats is one of the worst things that can happen to a PBP.
   
3. Read the rules. Usually, the GM will put up a list of rules for the PBP, and it is extremely important that you read and follow them. Believe it or not, every last one of them has a purpose; most have been gained from the GM's personal experience, and will help the RPG run smoothly.
   
4. Spend time on your character. Figure out what happened in his past, the way he thinks and feels, and things he might say. The more you get to know your character, the better time you'll have in the game.
   
5. Post often. The faster players respond, the sooner the story gets rolling.
   
6. Start playing! The best way to learn how to be in an PBP is by doing it, or at least observing how the game flows.
   

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Anyone with experience in PbPs can approach me or the other admins and mods, to serve as GM in their appropriate faction board. For the meantime, the staff would GM until further notice.

Sounds fun.

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