Preliminaries
Jun. 29th, 2017 04:19 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
yhlee posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
hexarchate_rpgHowdy, everyone!
We'll be getting started next week. Meanwhile, some administrative stuff, just to make sure we're all on the same page:
- It sounds like some of you know each other, but some of you may not. If you are comfortable doing so, feel free to use the comments to this post to introduce yourselves to each other. If not, no worries.
- I encourage every player to familiarize themselves with the other characters (list with links here--this should be finalized by Sunday, July 2). You don't need to memorize every detail, especially since most of your characters don't necessarily know each other (yet), just get a general feel for where everyone's coming from.
- The general principles of play are: Be kind to each other. Don't be a jerk. Some of you have more or less RP experience than others, and that's fine. Please be polite to each other. I will not tolerate jerky behavior. That being said, misunderstandings may happen--if you're unhappy with something, don't hesitate to bring it to my attention either through DW messaging or email (yoon at yoonhalee dot com or requiescat at gmail dot com).
- Does this mean that your characters can't go through drama with each other? No; they absolutely can have drama with each other, if you like. What I mean is that character drama should be separate from player drama. In general, if you'd like to engage in character drama, err on the side of inviting or negotiating it explicitly. What do I mean by this?
AU Example: Say that I'm playing a certain dramallama Shuos general named Jedao. I'd like for Jedao to be pushed to the breaking point over the ethics of murdering a million people, but it would be lonely to roleplay this all by myself. I think it might be entertaining for Jedao to end up non-fatally shot in the shoulder as part of the argument. So I ask Gina, the player of Gized (a character who is Jedao's friend), if Gina is willing to roleplay this argument between Jedao and Gized. Gina says yes, and we start a thread and dramallama our hearts out. Or maybe Gina says no, she'd rather not, so I table the idea (and maybe someone else is willing to do a modified scenario in Gina's place).
In practice, you probably won't need to negotiate every little detail for routine interactions. But if you're looking at a situation that involves character injury or trauma, especially for topics that are common triggers, please consider discussing beforehand with your fellow players. (Reminder: no sexual violence in gameplay, although it's fine to refer to it non-explicitly in backstory.)
- What will gameplay look like?
Typically, at least once per week, I will post to the comm with the scenario. Then you are welcome to respond and interact (either with me running NPCs, or with each other) in comment threads. You are welcome to invent or "hijack" NPCs for narrative purposes. Clarifications or OOC (out of character) information should be included [in brackets] the reader's edification. i suggest that OOC threads be tagged as such (see below).
For example, a post and the first few responses might look like this:
etc.
- Players are welcome to make their own posts to the comm either for OOC purposes (art of characters? cartoons? off-topic chatter?) or in-character posts exploring their own characters further (journal entries, flashbacks), but this is not required. I'll take care of tagging posts.
That should be it for the moment. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to ask!
We'll be getting started next week. Meanwhile, some administrative stuff, just to make sure we're all on the same page:
- It sounds like some of you know each other, but some of you may not. If you are comfortable doing so, feel free to use the comments to this post to introduce yourselves to each other. If not, no worries.
- I encourage every player to familiarize themselves with the other characters (list with links here--this should be finalized by Sunday, July 2). You don't need to memorize every detail, especially since most of your characters don't necessarily know each other (yet), just get a general feel for where everyone's coming from.
- The general principles of play are: Be kind to each other. Don't be a jerk. Some of you have more or less RP experience than others, and that's fine. Please be polite to each other. I will not tolerate jerky behavior. That being said, misunderstandings may happen--if you're unhappy with something, don't hesitate to bring it to my attention either through DW messaging or email (yoon at yoonhalee dot com or requiescat at gmail dot com).
- Does this mean that your characters can't go through drama with each other? No; they absolutely can have drama with each other, if you like. What I mean is that character drama should be separate from player drama. In general, if you'd like to engage in character drama, err on the side of inviting or negotiating it explicitly. What do I mean by this?
AU Example: Say that I'm playing a certain dramallama Shuos general named Jedao. I'd like for Jedao to be pushed to the breaking point over the ethics of murdering a million people, but it would be lonely to roleplay this all by myself. I think it might be entertaining for Jedao to end up non-fatally shot in the shoulder as part of the argument. So I ask Gina, the player of Gized (a character who is Jedao's friend), if Gina is willing to roleplay this argument between Jedao and Gized. Gina says yes, and we start a thread and dramallama our hearts out. Or maybe Gina says no, she'd rather not, so I table the idea (and maybe someone else is willing to do a modified scenario in Gina's place).
In practice, you probably won't need to negotiate every little detail for routine interactions. But if you're looking at a situation that involves character injury or trauma, especially for topics that are common triggers, please consider discussing beforehand with your fellow players. (Reminder: no sexual violence in gameplay, although it's fine to refer to it non-explicitly in backstory.)
- What will gameplay look like?
Typically, at least once per week, I will post to the comm with the scenario. Then you are welcome to respond and interact (either with me running NPCs, or with each other) in comment threads. You are welcome to invent or "hijack" NPCs for narrative purposes. Clarifications or OOC (out of character) information should be included [in brackets] the reader's edification. i suggest that OOC threads be tagged as such (see below).
For example, a post and the first few responses might look like this:
An entire three levels of the space station have been given over to this party. The decorations consist of trees with translucent leaves, specially knotted candlevines, and a multitude of Andan in the latest fashions. (Right now brocades featuring squirrel motifs are very popular, for reasons that are not entirely clear.) Servitors whir through the air bearing platters of mochi and samosas. There's live music--a zither ensemble, although the musicians' smiles are slightly fixed.
The target you've been asked to kidnap is standing over by a painting of a rose attributed to Andan Zhe Navo (what isn't?). It might even be an original. She's a small, fine-boned woman, resplendent in shimmering silks, and she's in conversation with several people.
Player Alpher [who plays Nirai Anna]:
[OOC: I think it would be hilarious if the kidnapping attempt went just wrong enough for my character to be captured. Then there could be a later plot thread about her having to be rescued. Is anyone up for this, or...?]
Player Bethe [who plays Kel Boris]:
[OOC: How about having another character deliberately getting captured with your character, so that you won't be stuck alone?]
Player Alpher:
[OOC: Works for me.]
Player Gamow [who plays Andan Georgette]:
[OOC: I have no objection.]
Andan Georgette looks around the party and winces. She really should have gone shopping for updated jewelry, but there wasn't time. However, a familiar face catches her eye: an Andan employee, Kyoko, who's involved with the kitchens somehow. Georgette sidles through the crowd, planning to manufacture an distraction having to do with the food or, even better, booze. On the way she grabs a glass of wine and sips it, then grimaces exaggeratedly.
"Excuse me," Georgette says with all the hauteur she can muster once she's run down Kyoko, "this wine is simply inadequate." Georgette flings the glass at Kyoko's feet.
[OOC: I just invented Kyoko. GM, could you run her? Georgette's trying to draw attention so that the others can make an attempt on the target. I'm fine with Georgette getting temporarily beaten up for the purposes of this encounter.]
GM:
[Sure, can do.]
Kyoko, who must have Kel and/or martial artists in her ancestry somewhere, responds by grabbing Georgette and executing a near-perfect throw. Georgette lands on the floor not far from the shattered wineglass, the breath knocked out of her. All eyes are on the altercation; several people scream.
A ponytailed man, indolent in a long coat of velvet, slowly begins to applaud.
Player Alpher
Nirai Anna can't help grinning a little at the display. She knows that Georgette is unlikely to be really hurt. She's already made her way to one of the security panels and is hacking it with the aid of her augment. It only takes moments for the lights to go out. As far as she can tell,
the ponytailed man is still applauding, what is his problem?
Player Bethe
Kel Boris grabs Nirai Anna's arm. "Come with me," he growls, "we have to get moving before they send in the guards."
etc.
- Players are welcome to make their own posts to the comm either for OOC purposes (art of characters? cartoons? off-topic chatter?) or in-character posts exploring their own characters further (journal entries, flashbacks), but this is not required. I'll take care of tagging posts.
That should be it for the moment. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to ask!
no subject
Date: 2017-06-29 10:19 pm (UTC)I'm vass, and I'm playing a genderfluid 20 year old failboat named Dah Iawa. In real life I'm 36 and non-binary (they/them). I think all the other players so far are people I've at least seen around either on Dreamwidth or Tumblr (where I'm vassraptor)? Hi everyone!
I am inexperienced with roleplaying and am bad at social cues (but doing my best) so if something I'm doing is fucking up the game or making you uncomfortable please tell me (or tell the GM to tell me if you'd rather.) I will not be angry with you for that, I'd much rather know.
Also I am Australian and sleep disordered, so it is anyone's guess what time zone I will be playing in. I mean, technically Australian Eastern Standard Time, but my sleep disorder makes it all calendrical rot all the time here, so who even knows when I'm awake and posting. If you want to make sure we're awake at the same time, let me know beforehand and we can negotiate a time and I'll set an alarm.
no subject
Date: 2017-06-29 11:06 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-06-29 10:31 pm (UTC)That example is really helpful, thanks! It looks like this is going to be a lot of fun.
I draw a lot, I drew the art of Sulen that I'm using as an icon now, and if anyone wants me to draw their character I'd be happy to!
no subject
Date: 2017-06-30 12:03 am (UTC)omg yes please! (stocky body, olive skin, thick black hair in dubious mullet, worried expression)
Also, welcome to Dreamwidth! I really love this place, so I'm so glad Yoon's luring people here with roleplaying. lmk if there's stuff you want to know about Dreamwidth. Also I'm gonna post a starter pack thing.
no subject
Date: 2017-06-30 12:36 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-06-30 08:41 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-06-30 02:03 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-06-30 08:42 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-07-01 08:18 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-06-29 10:40 pm (UTC)I've been recently getting super into RPGs, and am vaguely familiar with the Powered by the Apocalypse and the DnD 5e systems. I'm currently part of a lovely Masks (PBTA system) campaign over on Discord (where we're switching off being the GM so that everyone has the chance to play), and have DM'ed a DnD campaign before. I've never played in this format, though, and am really looking forward to it!
I'm in California, so my time zone is PST, but I often go to sleep pretty late. I am taking some summer classes, though they shouldn't affect my availability. If you want to catch me online, Thursday through Sunday work best. Message me on Dreamwidth or on Discord (my handle's on my character's profile).
If anyone wants any art of their character or a scene that comes up in the game, please let me know! I'd love to draw all these folks sometime. :))
no subject
Date: 2017-06-29 10:44 pm (UTC)I'll be in US central time shortly (Louisiana, as of Saturday), but this coincides with me moving, quitting my job, and starting school again in the fall, so it's anyone's guess what my schedule is going to be like. (I also play roller derby so I can be hard to find on some weekends.) Twice a week posting is totally doable, even if I'm making it sound like it's not, but it might be any time of the day. Also, I often post from my phone, so please forgive my constantly terrible formatting.
If there's anything else you want to know, feel free to ask!
no subject
Date: 2017-06-29 11:03 pm (UTC)I'm Yoon Ha Lee, but just Yoon is fine. I'm 38, trans, identify as male, and answer to either they/them or he/him, either way's fine.
Most of my experience with RPGs is either tabletop or play-by-email (and most of my GMing experience is play-by-email). I've done Advanced Dungeons & Dragons (2nd ed. and 3.5), Over the Edge, Legend of the Five Rings, GURPS (sorta), Pathfinder, Prime Time Adventures, and probably a couple others. I tend to prefer rules-light systems or freeform (this game is pretty much freeform). My husband likes crunchy systems, hence my experience with Pathfinder. =)
I also live in Louisiana (Baton Rouge) and am on CST (Central Time), but I'm online pretty frequently. If something's likely to interrupt my online-ness, I'll let y'all know. If you would like me to be online at a specific time, feel free to ping me so we can arrange it. My job is "writer" so my schedule's usually pretty flexible; my editors don't care whether the writing gets done at 9 a.m. or 4 p.m. :p
I'm really looking forward to gaming with y'all!
no subject
Date: 2017-06-30 02:03 am (UTC)I've played lots of tabletop RPGs; D&D (3.5), Pathfinder, and Mage are probably the biggest ones. Somebody borrowed my full legal name for a character in their Werewolf game once, which I still find entertaining.
no subject
Date: 2017-06-30 02:09 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-06-30 06:03 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-07-01 12:05 am (UTC)Your icon is lovely.
no subject
Date: 2017-07-01 05:35 pm (UTC)I'm happy to make icons for anyone else, though as I mentioned upthread I'm having technical difficulties at the moment.
no subject
Date: 2017-06-30 06:44 pm (UTC)I'm running a 5th edition D&D campaign atm; I've played a lot of 3.5 and 5e, and some 4e, and I'm familiar with a few other systems (aside from other d20 stuff, mostly the Marvel Universe RPG). my last experience with gaming online was about ten years ago, so it's been a while since I did anything play-by-post.
I'm in Eastern Time, generally, although in August I'll be in the UK.
historically my characters have ended up flirting with like every male NPC (and sometimes PCs) who shows up in games I'm playing in, although Virmad is maybe a little more moderate in his social behavior than most of my D&D characters have been.
no subject
Date: 2017-06-30 06:50 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-06-30 07:00 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-07-01 10:44 am (UTC)I've been playing tabletop RPGs for about ten years, but this will be my first play by post experience since middle school. (I might have too many Harry Potter OCs with anime profile pics in my past). I mostly play french RPGs, except for Call of Cthulhu, Legend of the Five Rings and the Song of Ice and Fire RPG, which I'm currently GM-ing.
I'm not used to do so much writing in RP, since even as a GM my note-taking style is mostly key words and bad jokes, but I'm really excited about it !
no subject
Date: 2017-07-02 01:20 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-07-02 04:29 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-07-02 03:13 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-07-03 03:56 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-07-03 11:00 am (UTC)Flash forward a few centuries, Lucifer is depressed, God is senile, and nobody really knows who's in charge anymore. High ranking angels and demons are as busy fighting their own colleagues as the other side, while low ranking angels and demons (the players) try their best to survive their superiors' agenda.
I would recommend the 4th Edition, which is out of print but can be downloaded legally here https://www.xxiemeciel.com/ins_ebookv4_01.php (first PDF on the page)
no subject
Date: 2017-07-03 07:23 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-07-01 11:31 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-07-02 03:14 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-07-03 06:59 am (UTC)I'm in the US central time zone, UTC-0500, and generally will have access to my computer weekdays after 8pm. During the day I may sneak on my phone, but typing is a pain on it.
no subject
Date: 2017-07-03 02:56 pm (UTC)I am US eastern time, and most days will be around after 5 pm, and sometimes in the morning before work. Or during work on break, who knows.