Everyone Plays! Right now!

Game Master Atlas2112

The Roman Empire was neither Roman nor an empire, discuss.

Depending on your definition of Roman being a single ethnic group vs. Roman being a national designation, the "Roman" point could be held to a vigorous debate; however, the definition of an empire being "an aggregate of nations or people ruled over by an emperor or other powerful sovereign or government, usually a territory of greater extent than a kingdom" seems irrefutable and counterpoints would be appreciated.

More importantly: Rowdy The Space Dog is clearly the hero this ragtag group of people needed. "Adorable Consolation check..."

Certainly not an empire on the Intergalactic scale. :) I like Rowdy. I think you're right. He's the true hero of the tale, which will be revealed as we continue the story.

In other, perhaps more serious, news: I've been assuming that a "round" is until the DM resolves your action, but is it supposed to be more formal than that?

1) I always had the feeling that the Roman Empire was less an Empire of conquered people under the heel of an all-powerful Emperor(may he live forever), and more a loose conglomeration of un-related people that had a variety of treaties that just kept them set on "don't kill Rome". But the question is just me doing my Mike Meyer's impression ^_^

2) Oh absolutely. Although the line between "Hero" and "Protagonist" is a fine one. The difference, of course, is that the Hero often has to heroically sacrifice himself for the good of the group/clause. We'll see if Rowdy is made of stern enough stuff to make the ultimate sacrifice when the moment comes. }=-]

3) Meh. My original theory had a "Round" giving everyone a chance to do one action, both in combat and out of combat. But, as you may have guessed, I like things to move a bit quicker, and I don't have any good reason to cap down on the fast posters outside of combat.

Inside combat, yeah, if everyone could keep it to one shot per round, that'd be super. I'll keep a tracker of what round we're on to make it easier.

4) This is the first one of these that I'm doing, so I'm collecting data as I go. IF this goes well, I'd like to do more. So feel free to chime in on how it's going.

Love it so far, but not sure you can trust my recommendation. I'm way on the fast poster side of the spectrum, and I know some people feel left out when games go as fast as I would like them to. :)

The pace is pretty quick, but given the looser nature of the story and gameplay, I think that's a benefit.

FYI - going camping out of town for the weekend, so Sampet's antics will be as sporadic as the cellular data.

I do hope the GM checks back in before tuesday as we have some posters who might or might not be pushing the rules limitations...

I wouldn't worry about it. It's going to happen in a game like this. The GM will just tell the story and respond to whatever people are trying to do when he has time to catch up... a few extra status rolls aren't going to mess anything up... just like us trying to teleport in didn't mess things up even with brilliant rolls. The GM can just say that teleportation doesn't work, and the rolls counted as warning us about that... or that the ionic frequency modulations aren't sufficient, or whatever. This kind of a story can't break... it's elastic. It stretches in all the right spots and then snaps back to the original shape. :)

And if it gets too crazy, GM can move it to gameplay instead. That will get a lot of people to drop off... if that's needed. It is getting crazy, but it's also pretty cool. I'm loving all of the creative ideas. :)

I do hope the GM checks back in before tuesday as we have some posters who might or might not be pushing the rules limitations...

Why would I object to someone voluntarily creating a PC traitor? That...that makes no sense. *evil grin*

Also, with OVER 40(!!) posts on a _weekend_ **WITHOUT** a -single- GM post, I think we can call this experiment a success.

Now, we just gotta find a way to earn our coffee....

:) Welcome back to the madhouse. :)

I was so hoping that creating a slew of additional aliases would get us some good fortune through sheer force of numbers.

Oh, how the dice gods must have laughed...

I am personally MASSIVELY complimented that you choose to create aliasiiesii just for this humble game.

Take a Benny. I'll let you decide who to spend it on.

(I've made it my goal to get Able to 10 posts so you have to keep him. Not sure how I'll do that yet. =)

Oh, I'm 100% keeping Able, Actual Mechanic - Able has been one of my go-to characters for a while now (as eager sorcerer when he was young, to seasoned and highly crotchety bard as "Old Able"), so making a space variant was really a matter of time more than a stroke of inspiration.

I expect he'll be a tough taskmaster on the little reptiloids in that engine room...

I'm saving my Alias for that perfect moment... *Plots Space Hamster...*

My analysis is that the engine room is doomed, any attempts by any aliasses to make any changes down there will only doom us further, and we should abandon ship post-haste.

That won't save us, unfortunately. And they determined that the disease isn't communicable, so even if we all dodge bullets and make it to the station, Jerk Hold-a-Grudge-Much-Longer-Than-is-Sane Borak the Buffoon won't be obligated to heal us.

I was thinking of making an Alias that *was* the disease, awakened by the pure hatred and insanity of Borak... but then I figured that would be exactly contrary to us surviving, because playing in character that character would have to try to kill us all... or turn on its master, which would be the good part in the end, but too many ways to kill us all first.

All I can think of is just throw all my aliases into it so we can pass all the arbitrary checks, but yeah, we're doomed.

On the other hand, of course, since I play several characters in this madhouse, things are also going as planned, and they are also quite hopeful. The fact that the whole ship hasn't collapsed already is clear evidence that we are going to triumph. :)

I think I'm up to... 6 aliases on here? Most of them created to try to repair the engine rooms and nearly all of them simply rolling 1s and 2s.

I'm going to make sure Sampet survives. I may just begin killing the HelpBots out of a vengeful anger.

That's what help-bots are for. Rosie was happier when she was just being a janitor-bot. When she discovered she could be more, she started rolling poorly too. I think there is something about this game that just doesn't reward hope. ... It's more of a "we're doomed" game where you are surprised to be alive at the end, and keep feeling yourself for bullet holes.

So, best strategy so far is to just do the crazy kamikaze thing, and hope it works. And hey, yeah, maybe we'll all explode, but really... what's death in a world with advanced cloning technology. Hmm... that reminds me. When was the last time I uploaded myself to the clone cloud? ... Uh-oh.

Apparently I was just using the reptiloids wrong the whole time. They really stepped it up when it came time to destroy things.

True. Nice shooting. :)

I think that engine is a goner though. The foam probably mucked it up more, and then I probably steered us into an asteroid. So, you know... we're likely dead. :)

Can that quitter talk!

"If a job´s worth doing it´s worth dying for."

"Only in death does duty end."

I'm considering a new take on the "round" scaffolding.

Instead of limiting actions to one per round (which seems limiting and confusing anyway) I'm thinking of having actions be merit-based.

That is, you get to take actions and roll until you fail, at which point Something Bad happens. Either to you, or to someone or something that you really care about.

But after the Bad Thing happens, you can continue on your merry way.

.... hmmmmmmmm. Given my die rolls having that 'hot-and-cold' streak to them, I can see both the appeal and the danger... But I do think it would help keep the game moving at a better clip.

I'm down for anything.

.... hmmmmmmmm. Given my die rolls having that 'hot-and-cold' streak to them, I can see both the appeal and the danger... But I do think it would help keep the game moving at a better clip.

*chuckle*

We have over 200 posts in less than a week and you're saying that what we really need here is the game to go "at a better clip".

;-D

"Now, we need to cut out all this 10 posts an hour b!@@@%+* and -really- get going to something some of us won't fall asleep from boredom to! Come on GM, let's get this going or something, huh? Why don't you actually post once in a while so we can do some stuff, eh?"

=P

.... hmmmmmmmm. Given my die rolls having that 'hot-and-cold' streak to them, I can see both the appeal and the danger... But I do think it would help keep the game moving at a better clip.

"Do you even post, bro?"

I didn't say we needed a faster pace - I just said it would make things go faster! ;D

But in all seriousness, it would potentially allow for a single player on a lucky streak to just 'luck-roll' through challenges that were intended to be hard - especially if the RNG decides that '4' or '5' is the lucky number of the moment instead of TSL's '2's.

Err... challenges that were intended to be hard, really? The engines are ON FIRE (actually they might not be anymore... haven't checked gameplay yet, but still)... if a bad thing happens *every* time we fail, I don't think we are risking making the game super easy.

Plus, every time we try to do anything that would shortcut this hellish kamikaze race for station or death, it gets nixed by the GM anyway... so seriously, I think it is hard enough as is. :)

And if, somehow, we ran into a hot streak and breezed through all the challenges in a round... the GM could just make us roll everything at a -1 for a round to "even things out" more (read: torture). :)

can anyone provide of summary of where we are in relation to the space station?

You've spent 3 rounds edging your way closer, closer, closer still to the station.

At the beginning of round 3 you needed 2 piloting rolls to maneuver to the entry hatch.

I have to run, but I'll update a new round tomorrow morning...whether you're ready or not. =3

And there will be a new twist! (Oh yeah, there are twists. Did I not mention that? =)

What I like to see:

I check my board in the morning, and every other game I'm in has zero new posts. This one has 28. =)

In some most games I've seen, opening a door slows the game down massively. You're looking at 2-3 days, maybe a week for plots and plans and opener by committee to do something.

This game? 4.5 hours. ^_^

What I'd like to see:

Players saying "Gosh, GM Atlas, this is one of the best games I've been in!" or "Wow! I thought I'd seen games that went well, but this really is awesome! You must do more of these!!!1!" or "I know of a recruitment going on and you've JUST GOTTA apply for it! If you're this good as a GM, I can't wait for the sky-high orgasmic levels of RP you do as a player!"

Well, a man can dream. ^_^

Gosh, GM Atlas, this is one of the best games I've been in!

Wow! I thought I'd seen games that went well, but this really is awesome! You must do more of these!!!1!

What I'd like to see:

Players saying "Gosh, GM Atlas, this is one of the best games I've been in!" or "Wow! I thought I'd seen games that went well, but this really is awesome! You must do more of these!!!1!" or "I know of a recruitment going on and you've JUST GOTTA apply for it! If you're this good as a GM, I can't wait for the sky-high orgasmic levels of RP you do as a player!"

Well, a man can dream. ^_^

I already saw that you dotted to apply to one of the same games I'm applying to, so hopefully we can saddle up as players and get some Starfinder on!

I've really enjoyed this game for the rules-light, easy accessibility - allows everyone to focus more on what their characters are doing and what's happening in the world than trying to maximize a situation to their best mathematical advantage. It makes it easy to jump in, easy to move quickly, and seems to really be encouraging everyone to come up with interesting solutions to the problems you throw at us. And I love the atmosphere of "Yes, and..." that you bring as a GM and encourage in us the players.

Agree. I like the storytelling aspect, and the high creativity. I love that you can try anything, even if you didn't get a feat or skills or whatever in that area. I like that you can bring in another character to back yourself up if another character doesn't latch on to your idea.

There are also some downsides, mainly with making sure that everyone is included. Not sure how to improve that part--maybe a new rule about you can only post a new concept after helping someone else out with theirs? Not sure if that would hamper the game though. But it is interesting, and we have some fun tangents. They never seem to be actually useful, but that's probably okay, because we need to be drawn back to the main idea.

If I was GMing something, I would definitely be overjoyed for you to apply, along with several other people here that have had super creative ideas, or jumped in with other people to work together. I haven't quite worked up the nerve to try that yet though. :)

Also, I apologize to anyone that wanted to try a diplomatic route... but it seemed time for a more direct approach.

I'd apologize more if the dice weren't actively vindicating my choice.

Oh, no... I was all about violence. Not like we didn't just shoot our way to this point. I think it was a good decision.

There are also some downsides, mainly with making sure that everyone is included. Not sure how to improve that part--maybe a new rule about you can only post a new concept after helping someone else out with theirs? Not sure if that would hamper the game though. But it is interesting, and we have some fun tangents. They never seem to be actually useful, but that's probably okay, because we need to be drawn back to the main idea

With that said, would you prefer a rules setting?

This is kind of a moshing middle point between Savage Worlds and Dungeon World.

Have y'all heard of either of those systems?
Which one do you prefer?
Which one would you be more interested in trying?

Have y'all heard of either of those systems?

Which one do you prefer?
Which one would you be more interested in trying?

1.) Only heard of them, but not much of either.

What I'd like to see:

Players saying "Gosh, GM Atlas, this is one of the best games I've been in!" or "Wow! I thought I'd seen games that went well, but this really is awesome! You must do more of these!!!1!" or "I know of a recruitment going on and you've JUST GOTTA apply for it! If you're this good as a GM, I can't wait for the sky-high orgasmic levels of RP you do as a player!"

Well, a man can dream. ^_^

What I like to see... A GM fishing for complements :P

I've never played Savage Worlds or Dungeon World, and I'm sorry but I'm not sure what you mean by a "rules setting."

I definitely like this style of game over Pathfinder in several ways... you get to post as often as you like, everyone is welcome, it's about the story as much as you want it to be and not just who can do the most damage, all of which can drag some games down. ... Don't get me wrong though, I love Pathfinder and the chance to play a more structured story too.

I think I would even like to run a game like this... but my worry is that people would post once and then drift away because everyone is wrapped up in telling their own story rather than sharing a story with other people as much. We have lots of side characters here that are awesome flavor, but if there weren't a balance of people trying to accomplish some goals, it might descend into insanity. (Um, MORE into insanity.) ;)

Maybe I would make the rounds more consistent, like one day=one round or something? Only one roll, but talking is free, and of course you can still make other aliases. But I really don't know what exactly it needs... maybe just players that step in to organize some things or focus on helping each other or interacting rather than everyone flying solo. But that's hard to find sometimes, even in Pathfinder. :)

"Gosh, GM Atlas, this is one of the best games I've been in!

Wow! I thought I'd seen games that went well, but this really is awesome! You must do more of these!!!!"

No, really...I'm not just saying it because you asked me to. :)

I would suggest a bolded, big-font post, saying all by itself, "ROUND N", so that we can know when we can take another action. Right now, with all the chaos going on, it's hard *not* to make multiple posts per round.

The only thing I'd like to see 'ported in from Savage Worlds is that if the d6 "Aces" (rolls a 6), we get to roll again, and even better things happen for higher rolls (we don't *have* to impose the concept of Raises on players who've never played SW before, but if you wanted to, each Raise counts as an extra "success"...).

I think I'm also going to, as a player, get in the habit of tracking success v failure in posts per round in my posts as OOC comments. I saw that Ancieent Dragon Master was doing that with his clones and it seemed a solid idea.

Yeah, that's probably a good idea, but it confused me at first because I thought he was totaling for everyone, so the totals seemed completely off.

I've never played Savage Worlds or Dungeon World, and I'm sorry but I'm not sure what you mean by a "rules setting."

I definitely like this style of game over Pathfinder in several ways... you get to post as often as you like, everyone is welcome, it's about the story as much as you want it to be and not just who can do the most damage, all of which can drag some games down. ... Don't get me wrong though, I love Pathfinder and the chance to play a more structured story too.

I think I would even like to run a game like this... but my worry is that people would post once and then drift away because everyone is wrapped up in telling their own story rather than sharing a story with other people as much. We have lots of side characters here that are awesome flavor, but if there weren't a balance of people trying to accomplish some goals, it might descend into insanity. (Um, MORE into insanity.) ;)

Maybe I would make the rounds more consistent, like one day=one round or something? Only one roll, but talking is free, and of course you can still make other aliases. But I really don't know what exactly it needs... maybe just players that step in to organize some things or focus on helping each other or interacting rather than everyone flying solo. But that's hard to find sometimes, even in Pathfinder. :)

Yes, a round every 24 hours is great. Some of us are slower at figuring our move than others (like me) :P I do like the occasional bonus awards. Maybe keep a storyline on the gameplay page. This would help the new players slip in easier.

1) By "rules setting" I just meant an already-existing RPG, as Savage Worlds or Dungeon World.

2) That thing about bolding the Round number is probably good.

3) Yeah, I had thought that I've been keeping to "around" one day for a round. Doors arn't very interesting, and are notorious game killers, so I just ran over that. ^_^

4) Heh. Yeah, my hope would be that a new person could just read the first post, read a few of the most recent, and then would know enough to jump in. At this point I can understand how 300 posts would be a little daunting. (Ah, the problems of success.)
Mind you, now I see why they keep the gameplay posts in the gameplay thread--maybe I shudda done something like that. Meh.

5) I love doing this, so I'll do it now. =)

Savage World condensed rules summary is here.

Dungeon World SRD is here.

I've called Savage Worlds the best RPG system there is. It's so module there's a conversion for every setting you can think of, from medieval to modern to sci fi, and everything in between.
It plays roughly similar to what we've been doing: All your stats and all your skills are just dice amounts (d4, d6, d10, etc). Leveling up means increasing your dice size.

Dungeon World is...also similar to what we've been doing, in that the rules are designed to be so flexible (and kinda vague) so the story can flourish.
MY problem is that -none- of the DW games I've been in have gone very long. I have a theory about this...but that is another story. =)

Oh, by all means, tell us another story. :)

I'm interested in hearing the theory

I think Trask has just cemented himself as my favorite character to write. The die rolls he gets just make for such rich choices for his weird little personality.

Also, 3 votes for theory talk please!

Alright, well I know that when a crowd wants it, ya gotta give it to 'em!

I'll compose it and post it tomorrow.

My cunning plan to constantly get new blood seems to have plateaued. Should we just move this to Gameplay?