Just curious -- whereabouts are you? I head to Oz every couple of years or so to visit customers...
I’m based in Canberra, let me know if you are ever by this way - would be good to meet up.
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Here's mine.
To ensure a positive and enjoyable experience for players participating in my Pathfinder 2e games, I want everyone to understand what they can expect from me and what I expect from them:
Embrace the First Rule: Our games are meant for enjoyment and fun. As the GM, I am a player too, responsible for guiding the story. Similarly, you, as a player, craft the narrative for your character within the game world.
Fairness and Consistency: I will strive to apply the rules consistently and fairly to the best of my knowledge and ability. If there are any questions or uncertainties, feel free to ask for clarification. However, it's important to note that I may not know every rule by heart. I trust you, as players, to be familiar with the rules governing your characters, including references to class feats, skill feats, and other relevant mechanics.
Contribute to the Story with Roleplay: While I act as the storyteller, your input as players is invaluable. Your character's actions and decisions significantly influence the direction of the narrative. Feel empowered to be creative and take risks. While detailed roleplaying isn't mandatory, engaging with other characters and the world around you enriches the game experience.
Respect and Inclusion: Mutual respect is fundamental at our gaming table. Discriminatory language or behavior has no place here. We're all here to have a good time, and everyone's enjoyment matters.
Prioritize Real Life: In play-by-post (PbP) games, regular posting keeps the game flowing smoothly. If you're unable to post for any reason, simply let us know, even if it's just to say you're unable to contribute at the moment. However, real-life obligations always take precedence. If you anticipate a prolonged absence, please inform us in advance. While I prefer not to "bot" or control your character in your absence, providing botting instructions can help keep the game moving in your absence.
These are the core principles that guide our gaming sessions. I may expand on these in the future, but for now, let's uphold these standards to ensure a fantastic gaming experience for everyone involved.
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My person:
My name is Beatrice and I started my pen-and-paper roleplaying "career" a little more than ten years ago. I started GMing only a few months later and I like it as much as I like playing. I live in Europe, so my posting times are a bit off to people in the America or Asia. Please keep that in mind!
Expectations
Thank you for your interest in joining one of my games. To make the games fun for everyone, I expect you to follow the rules mentioned in the Pathfinder Society Community Standards and Expectations and the Paizo Organized Play Code of Conduct. These guidelines will help us to make the games a good experience for everybody.
Please make character information avalable to the GM before the game starts. This means you have a complete character sheet ready (either in the character profile itself or make PDF link available in the profile). This helps to keep the game running as the GM is able to roll i.e. saves for your character and continue with actions and nobody has to wait for players rolling saves before the game can continue. Also post your standard exploration activities or any reactions you want to take when something triggers them.
The games must be positive and inclusive. If you feel uncomfortable with certain situations, please tell me (in a PN if you don't want the whole party to know about it). If the scenario lists certain warnings, I will make them available in the recruitment thread. Please do not sign up, if you have issues with certain situations mentioned in the warning (like blood, gore, horror, suicide etc.)
Game Rules
- * Have fun!
* Post once every 24h on workdays, once every weekend (GM will post twice a day mostly, less on the weekend)
* Use the ooc (out-of-character) tag to give information to the GM or other players during the game
* Use the b (bold) tag to write what your character says. This helps to distinguish between information given to other characters and character "thoughts"
* Make it clear what your character is doing during it's turn in combat, please use the action symbols available below the GM's name
* Please be aware, that your character is botted, if you do not post within 24h to keep the game running
* If you are unavailable (holidays, family, work, studies etc.), please tell the rest of the group and leave instructions for your character. Your character will be botted during this time.
* Use the spoiler tag if you want to make information available to certain characters or the GM, state who may read the spoiler.
* Have fun!
The most important part: Have fun, but let others have fun too! If you don't agree with the rules above, please do not register for my games. There are a lot of other PbP GMs and sessions available.
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Assignment 5:
It's time to finish up your GM profile. Some of you already have your expectations listed there, which is great. If you do not, please add them.
Also, please add a botting policy. Technically, we cannot bot a character unless we have told players we may do so, which makes this notice very very important to have.
Once you have completed your profile (at least for now) please let me know and I'll look over it. You do not need to post everything here, but are welcome to post any bits of it you want to discuss.
a few of my thoughts on this assignment:
I really prefer botting to delay. It seems that delay is unfair to everyone who is posting regularly. I know some GMs feel otherwise.
This is the last assigment before we begin the gameplay part of GM school, although classroom will also continue.
I have the following in the profile I posted earlier - is that sufficient?
Botting:
* After 24 hours of it being your turn I'll have your character delay to keep things moving. If you would then otherwise miss a turn I'll bot your character to the best of my ability. Botting instructions on your character sheet are appreciated!
On delays - yes I was quite surprised when that first happened in a game I was playing, but having been on the other side of the fence I can see that botting can be quite onerous on the GM. Missing a whole turn seems a harsh penalty to the whole party if someone is absent though. So I'm leaning towards the staged approach that I have seen others use.
Botting is really a necessity to let the game not stall on an absent player. I will only choose to delay if it will makes everything goes faster in that situation (for example, give the batton to the heavy hitter in the team who can finish the fight quicker).
Also added PFS tracker link to complete my GM profile.
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What I usually do is grouping the character and monsters in combat according to their Initiative results. If a character in a group does not Post with in the 24hrs, I bot them after every body else in the group acted. When one player explicitly mention that their character waits until something happened, i.e. the bard started a courageous anthem, I still bot the character, but put their action in between so other character can make use of the missing player's character's action.
I can see that botting can be quite onerous on the GM.
It is also fine to set the expectation that players will step in, and to ask them to bot each other when necessary. In a time critical game, such as a multi-table special, you can ask your players to not only have botting instructions but review each others before the game starts. You can suggest players make advanced arrangements with another of their choice to bot their character when needed. It doesn't have to only fall on the GM.
Not sure what to write about bot and how to, can say that prefer not to or ask one of the other players to bot?
Not sure what to write about bot and how to, can say that prefer not to or ask one of the other players to bot?
That is what I prefer too - that one of the other players bots an inactive character.
Though I do have it mentioned in my profile that if the player prefers that the GM bots their character instead of one of the players, that they can request that in their botting instructions.
I my opinion that (players botting other player's characters) would have to be an agreement beforehand, because it may put some pressure on the players, particularly in the case when characters die or suffer from serious injury and can't be played in PFS any more.
That pressure isn't lessened by being the GM.
It just means that there is now only one individual person at the table (the GM alone) responsible for that result instead of two (the GM and the player doing the botting).
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Yes, that's true.
And that's the reason why I think it has to be agreed on before (either in the rules or for each table individually), if any of the players is willing to bot another character. I, personally, as a player, would not like to bot another character. But as a GM I see it as my duty to keep the game running.
GM Kaervek, GM Baerlie, and GM Buffalo/Zonurel, we're waiting for your assigment.
Sorry for dragging my feet. I have been sick (Influenza A) since last Monday and did not feel up to the task of creating my GM philosopy until now... :-(
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I live in Austria, Europe - my timezone is UTC +01:00 during Standard Time from ~Nov-Mar, and UTC +02:00 during Daylight Savings Time from ~Mar-Nov. Usually, I will not post between 12:00 a.m. and 09:00 a.m. local time - Friday and Saturday nights may be exceptions.
My GM philosophy: "We are playing a game, so let's have fun - and I mean in particular fun for everyone!"
Guidelines of Play:
1. Have fun! So please let me know anything I can do to help you have the best experience possible and DEFINITELY let me know if anything is causing you to have a bad time.
2. Respect other players, the GM, and yourself. We all come from different walks of life and use our hobbies to relax. Being cognizant of others and aware of any possible controversial topics or behaviors. This environment should be a safe space for everyone - please do not discuss real life politics, gender, race, religion and similar topics here. If you need me to mediate something, let me know.
3. Posting frequency: At least once each weekday and once on weekends. However, life is unpredictable. So if something comes up or if you need a break from the game, let me know if I need to bot you. I will do the same if I know that I will be unavailable for a certain period of time.
4. Botting instructions are really helpful - especially if you know you are going to be away from the game for a longer time period. Otherwise I may delay you or play conservatively to not risk your character. Also see the botting policy below.
5. Please keep you pbp character sheet (your profile) up to date.
6. My standard format preferences: "I like in-character speech written like this." This is what my character is thinking right now. And this is a telepathic broadcast.
7. Languages: Languages and dialects are fun, so if your character knows more languages than common, please use them from time to time. There are enough reasons to do so: maybe your character is surprised, wants to curse to blow off steam, asks his deity for a blessing, commands a summoned monster or just doesn't want everyone around him to know what he is going to say right now. Here is a list of languages with one earth equivalent each: Languages of Golarion This list makes it very easy to put a sentence or two into Google translate, copy the translation into the editor window and put the original sentence behind a spoiler with the language name.
8. d100 & d% rolls: If it's a 20% miss chance, then a roll of 1 to 20 on d100 misses. Same for 50% - a roll of 1 to 50 misses.
9. I'm not perfect: I will try my best to get things right. However, I know I will sometimes fail to do so. (Especially because I am new to pbp GMing.) If you believe that I have made a mistake, please let me know and I will do my best to correct it.
10. Feedback helps improve things, so it's welcome and appreciated!
Do people provide examples or expectations of botting instructions?
I wouldn't want to make any decisions for someone's character. Having given it a small bit of thought, I'd probably want something like the following - where I can just copy and paste what they've prepared: Botting instructions
Otherwise, my policy would be to just skip the players with unannounced absences and delay for players with announced absences. Seems like PbP is an ideal format for the occasional pause.
Should I be concerned that I haven't been contacted about a game?
Philosophy and Expectations complete.
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Assignment 5:
It's time to finish up your GM profile. Some of you already have your expectations listed there, which is great. If you do not, please add them.Also, please add a botting policy. Technically, we cannot bot a character unless we have told players we may do so, which makes this notice very very important to have.
Once you have completed your profile (at least for now) please let me know and I'll look over it. You do not need to post everything here, but are welcome to post any bits of it you want to discuss.
a few of my thoughts on this assignment:
I really prefer botting to delay. It seems that delay is unfair to everyone who is posting regularly. I know some GMs feel otherwise.This is the last assigment before we begin the gameplay part of GM school, although classroom will also continue.
Mine's already on there...
My GM profile is complete (for now).
Guidelines about Bot considerations added to my profile.
Done.
Profile change complete.
Profile Change Updated.
I think I'm done, don't know what to change without feedback at least..
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The most recent assignment was given ten days ago. If it's not completed by those who have not yet done so in the next 24 hours, I will need to conclude you are no longer able to or no longer wanting to be part of GM school.
If you have not yet completed the assignment and can't by the deadline but still want to participate, please reach out by PM and we will work something out.
Hope I'm good, we will run games now or play under the mentors?
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The details will be explained soon. The mentors will run games for their tables to start with, showing a bit more than usual what they are doing and why they are making the decisions they are.
For PF2 and SF, we will be using repeatable bounties. For PF1, there are no bounties, so we will be running quests. The rules are a little strange there, but those running other systems won't care about the messy details.
We doing bounties!
I have set up my gameplay thread, so can our SFS students
Uri
Thoughfulmonkey
Zonurel
please report to the This gameplay thread.
That makes only three players. If anyone else of you wants to have a go at playing along, you're more than welcome to join in (it would even save us the hassle of fussing with pregens!).
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I don't recall seeing an allocation of players to GMs.
Players for my table can report to the Gameplay Thread
I haven't been very active here recently due to life, however, I have been keeping an eye on things. Popping in to wish everyone well and happy gaming as you head into the active games portion of the journey.
I will keep lurking in the background ready to contribute if needed when I can.
I don't recall seeing an allocation of players to GMs.
Players for my table can report to the Gameplay Thread
Yeah, I haven't either. My assumption was that the appropriate mentor would call my name.
Tiger, Frost, and Brenael: Please report over to the Gameplay Thread for your GM School Mentor Table.
Would the following agents please check in here for your regularly-scheduled team-building enrichment activity in Nirmathas:
- GM Lantern
- GM Baerlie
- GM Warah
- GM Takeyabue
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I've read over all of your profiles, and I can tell you've worked hard on them and thought carefully about what you want to say. I can't say I agree with everything in some of them, but that is not the point. The point is that players can read them and decide if they want to join your tables, and know what to expect. Nice job, everyone.
I'll be waiting a few days to issue the next assignment so everyone can get settled into their tables to play.
Hi, I didn't enjoy a scene from We Are Goblins and withdrew, not related to the school though. Do GMs use safety tools? Can I learn from this something? Feeling a little bad because I'm too sensitive maybe?
Hi, I didn't enjoy a scene from We Are Goblins and withdrew, not related to the school though. Do GMs use safety tools? Can I learn from this something?
The first entry in the Pathfinder Society Community Standards mentions use of X cards and other safety tools.
In VTT games I will have safety tools available (e.g. foundry module with X card). I am not aware of an equivalent for these forums, but I guess PMing the GM is probably where to start. It is a good reminder and I'll update my GM profile to cover it.
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I did do the assigniment it whin it was first assigned
The earlier assignments was a GM philosophy, which you did do, and posted.
The most recent assignment, which you did not do, was to add a botting policy and expectations to your GM profile and then post again that you had made those changes. I do not see either of those things in your profile, and you did not make such a post.
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Hi, I didn't enjoy a scene from We Are Goblins and withdrew, not related to the school though. Do GMs use safety tools? Can I learn from this something? Feeling a little bad because I'm too sensitive maybe?
It's important for everyone at the table to be able to enjoy a game. Sometimes, it doesn't work out. Sometimes the best solution is indeed to withdraw from the game; sometimes it's better to explain your objections. You should not ever have to be at a game table that makes you uncomfortable. VOs are available if needed to help in such situations.
I don't think many people use anything specific like an X card in PbP games, but here on the forums, private messages and the discussion thread for a game are both options if a problem comes up.
I'm sorry you found yourself in a situation where you had to withdraw. If you need anything, even a chance to vent in private, my PM box is open.
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We will be working soon in GM school on how you can get things set up for the bounty you will be running, so please use your mentor's table's discussion thread to make sure everyone knows what adventure they need to prepare. I'll be making the next assignment as soon as it looks like all the tables have done this; my table of PF1 GMs has already done so.
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Next assignment: acquire and read carefully through the adventure you are going to run. Note any maps, any NPCs with images, any handouts, and any rules you need to look up.
When you have done this, you do not need to share your results, but do tell everyone at your mentor's discussion thread that you are done.
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Hi, I didn't enjoy a scene from We Are Goblins and withdrew, not related to the school though. Do GMs use safety tools? Can I learn from this something? Feeling a little bad because I'm too sensitive maybe?It's important for everyone at the table to be able to enjoy a game. Sometimes, it doesn't work out. Sometimes the best solution is indeed to withdraw from the game; sometimes it's better to explain your objections. You should not ever have to be at a game table that makes you uncomfortable. VOs are available if needed to help in such situations.
I don't think many people use anything specific like an X card in PbP games, but here on the forums, private messages and the discussion thread for a game are both options if a problem comes up.
I'm sorry you found yourself in a situation where you had to withdraw. If you need anything, even a chance to vent in private, my PM box is open.
that's ok this diffently going in a direction that I don't wont to go.
A question that has been bugging me for a bit - should we be reporting all our sessions on the Data Tracking Form link in the Cottonseed forum description?
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Many of you still need to complete the assignment, please try to do so soon.
In terms of the tracking link, the purpose is to allow us (the PbP VOs) to send Paizo a correct number for the games run.
Convention games are tracked as they are reported.
For Flaxseed and Cottonseed (PF1 and PF2), we need GMs to fill out that form for all games that aren't convention games but are run from the lodge.
For Castamir (SF1), many GMs are using the shared event, which we can get a count from. GMs who still use their own event need to fill out the tracker for each game that is reported to their own event.
If any part of that isn't clear, please let me know.
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Assignment #7: create your game threads and campaign.
Step by step instructions for creating your campaign, when you don't need a recruitment thread:
(these directions start on this very page)
Go up to the top of the page, to where it says Paizo/Messageboards/Online Campaigns. Right click on Online Campaigns, and select Open in New Tab.
Click on the new tab that just opened. Scroll down to where it says Play by Post Online Campaigns as a section title, and click on the words Play by Post.
Now find the words Add New thread near but not at the top and click on them. This will create a new gameplay thread. Put in the title I indicated earlier, and include some text. Then hit submit. DO NOT DELETE THIS FIRST POST!
The website will ask if you want to create a campaign, and tell it yes. You can then put in the title for your campaign.
Now click on the discussion tab, and it will give you a chance to create a new discussion thread. Again, put in some text, give it your title, and click submit.
When your campaign is created, please post a link to it in your mentor's game's discussion thread.
Let me know if you need any questions answered or further instructions on any part of this.
New assignment? About the previous one, handouts are text wall that need to copy and important mpc images/tokens?