motteditor RPG Superstar 2014 Top 16, RPG Superstar 2012 Top 16 |
(Note, I'm fasting today, so if this is incoherent, that may be why.)
Hmmm. I'd say it takes about the same as doing face to face, though it's more spread out instead of all slammed into one gaming session. The bulk of the work IMO is during combat, when you've got to make your maps (assuming you use them; not doing so would probably make it a lot easier in terms of time, but IMO would make it harder to visualize) and having to adjudicate all the actions. It's far easier when you're in role-play mode to just come in and write a quick snippet of dialogue/action, whereas a round of combat can take 15-60 minutes per post depending how involved it is (most lean toward the former, but if you've got a bunch of PCs, NPCs and are trying to make the writing exciting, it can go long).
It can also depend on your players a lot. I REALLY appreciate when my players link to the spells/mechanics they're using and give me a quick status -- checking a player profile to find a save or AC, or looking up a spell may not take that long but when you have to do it a half-dozen times, along with checking rules it can really add up. It's not really as necessary with a rogue, but my alchemist character, for instance, has a link to the rules for thrown splash weapons, since I figure that makes it that much easier for the GM (and myself).
Also, if your players don't post often, it doesn't require as much work, but in my experience, it's a vicious cycle. When posting rates go down, the enthusiasm for the game dwindles rapidly on both sides of the "GM screen." As a GM, the more you post, the more your players will likely post, which makes for more work, but also makes for more fun. I'm at the point where I'll probably cherry pick players for my next game from people I "know" instead of doing an open recruitment and simply hoping I get people who will stick around and post regularly.
I'm currently running four games, which is honestly probably one more than I'd like to (the fourth was started when the third was seeming like it would need to go on hiatus). Two are APs, which I enjoy more. The other two are one-shot modules, which don't seem to have as good a response, perhaps because players aren't as invested? I'm not sure. I'm really excited for Reign of Winter, so I'll probably run that once my module games end (and one is very close to the end) and call the three APs my limit.
Vladislav Fedoseev |
Hmm Those are all very helpful points. I would like to dabble with something really short and I think I could keep up with a game that only posts every day or two. I could probably handle a little more than that but to get started and to avoid getting invested in something that would end up becoming a chore I think that would be my limit. I am also excited about Reign of Winter. I just stumbled upon it today lol. How are the maps done?
motteditor RPG Superstar 2014 Top 16, RPG Superstar 2012 Top 16 |
motteditor RPG Superstar 2014 Top 16, RPG Superstar 2012 Top 16 |
I played through the first installment of Council of Thieves and found it frustrating, but I think that was in part due to the GM. Trying to factor that out, it felt a bit railroady, but I also didn't have the best character. I think if I'd made someone who'd been more invested in the plot and/or being a big hero, I might have enjoyed it more. I've heard Part II is one of the very best adventures, but I just didn't care for that game enough to want to continue.
GM Nayr |
Guys - thanks for taking that upon yourselves; I'm getting back from hell-week, but all is good for the most part. I'll be updated over the next day or so, and then we can get back into our groove. Until then, feel free to assume where you are and what you're doing. Last we left it, Duru and Dorin were helping to mend the townsfolk, Ethan was questioning the gobbos, Ionacu and Vlad were collecting bodies and booty, and Aleister...well, he was just basically floating about.
Vladislav Fedoseev |
I know it was the week end but we have some free reign here until the DM gets settled back in. We should finish up the task at hand. Make living arrangements, dinner and settle in. Not trying to pester, I just love the opportunity to RP the small stuff lol
Also I am thinking about running a short module for experience. If anyone would be interested let me know. It will be a side project that I am worried I wont have the appropriate amount of time for. It's The Fallen Fortress and it seems VERY short.
Vladislav Fedoseev |
Gotcha...my bad...result of PbP. Emotion gets lost sometimes.
No worries friend! I often come off as an ass but it's usually unintentional I promise lol
P.S. I just switched to this tab to avoid stealing the "feel" from the game tab.
motteditor RPG Superstar 2014 Top 16, RPG Superstar 2012 Top 16 |
Vladislav Fedoseev |
If I may, I have an etiquette question for my favorite group. Am I in the wrong if I post a comment implying that other players should not be reading through all of another players stats other than mayber description and background? In addition to correcting all other players decisions during combat encounters?
Ionacu Valdemar |
I'd say it depends.
I'll sometimes look at other characters and may even suggest moves for them. I definitely don't mind if other people remind me of certain actions/rules since they may be something I didn't know.
That said, if some other player is trying to dictate all of your actions/decisions and second guessing you all the time, I'd definitely say something. That'd be really annoying.
Vladislav Fedoseev |
Maybe I jumped the gun then. This person rules lawered me then another person who posted right after me. It just seemed rude and I was irritated when I realized that they had been going through both of our character sheets number crunching to get us to power game. Or so I felt at the time.
Aleister Landeg |
I promise that if I've looked at your stat block it was only to steal ideas for my own characters!
That said I can't say I've never offered advice to someone; particularly if I know they're new, but I have enough worries playing my own character....I'm not going to play someone else's as well!
I am currently playing in a PbP game (on another site) and one player typically floods the OOC thread and our PM boxes with what actions he'd like to see us take. I guess he's been rules-lawyering with the GM via private message as well and was called out on it in OOC. That has quieted him down somewhat but in the meantime the entire game was bogged down.
Vladislav Fedoseev |
I'm with Dorin on that one; I'd tell him to mind his own.
I basically did. Their response was that they would just PM everyone instead...
Side note. Is it just me or are the boards completely F'ed?
Ionacu Valdemar |
Not sure what my posting status will be for the next week or so. I was originally supposed to go on vacation to D.C. Monday through Wednesday, which might have limited my posting (though I'd probably still be able to check in at least once a day). Now that trip is up in the air thanks to Stormageddon: The Rainening.
Anyway, if I'm home I may have lots of free time to post. Unless I lose power, in which case I won't be posting at all.
So, to sum up, I'll either be posting a lot, the normal amount or not at all in the next few days.
GM Nayr |
Guys - I'm sorry, but I have to shut this one down. My spare time is a long lost memory, and this module is not one that plays itself. Again, I apologize, and hope you understand.
Dorin - we'd love to have you and any character you choose in my Skull and shackles game on this site, or in my PFS games that I run on another site. Please let me know.