GM Style
As your GM, I have three main Requests. Before committing fully, please let me know if you can easily comply. As your GM, I will lead by example and make the same commitment.
0) Have Fun
1) Post Daily
2) Show your Math
3) Communicate Game Mechanics (◆◇↺)
Post Daily:
Once on weekends is okay, as is pretty standard around here. But yes, do your reasonable best to post daily. I will do my best to do so too, as well as to compile larger sets of info (say, for a skill challenge) into longer "anchor posts" with shorter updates cross-linked backwards. This "longer / shorter" format is a sustainnable way I can keep up on the GM side of the screen. Check out any of my DM/GM/QM aliases to see examples.
Note: I do not bot players. Part of posting daily is also making sure that, in your absence, the action keeps moving even as it hinges on your character. Good practices include keeping "botting instruction" in your profile, and/or adopting a "buddy botty system". GMing becomes an easy joy when the players pitch in to cover for eachother.
Show your Math:
When using dice expressions, I ask that you represent your dice as sums seperated by +1s and -1s to show circumstance and status bonuses ~ or other temporary bonuses including Multiple Attack Penalty ("MAP": -5, -10, or -4, -8 for agile etc). Perhaps this is better explained by example.
Bad Examples
[dice=Murph does Attack]1d20+8; 1d12+4[/dice]
[dice=Murph does Perception]1d20+6[/dice]
[dice=Murph does Spell]2d6[/dice]
Good Examples
[dice=Murph to Strike w/ Greatsword (slashing) w/ Frightened (-1) vs Red Foe]1d20+9-1; 1d12+4[/dice]
[dice=Murph to Seek w/ Whisper Elf (+2) vs Hidden Red Foe]1d20+4+2[/dice]
[dice=Murph to Cast Breathe Fire (fire, DC 17) vs Red and Blue Foes]2d6[/dice]
Pathfinder is a crunchy system, and the greater effort you make to be clear with your dice expressions or other math, the less scrolling I have to do to post the outcomes of your efforts. As I believe the effort I put in to craft GM posts is evident to you, I am asking for reciprocation.
Communicate Game Mechanics (◆◇↺):
I will post the ◆◇↺ prominently in multiple places. Please use them for every action you take during encounters, even if you think it is obvious.
Similarly, when you use abilities for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd time, please either post a link to that ability / skill feat / spell, or post it's actual text. For very common actions - things like Reactive Strike and Shield Block - this restriction is relaxed. But if you are unsure, post it.
A Note on Reactions: Reactions in PbP can be messy. Either slowing the back-and-forth to a crawl to elicit input, or posting with system-shattering hindsight. To strike the middle ground, if your character has a crunchy reaction, please leave short instructions about under what circumstances it will be used. For an example, if you have the Shield Block reaction, choose a threshold ("if a hit would otherwise fell me" or "if the hit is 13 damage or less"); if you have the Reactive Strike reaction, choose a scenario ("If anyone moves past me" or "Saving it for Red Foe if he moves"). Reactions are powerful abilities, and in this medium, require a little more care.
Encounter Mode (Basic Actions) Aid (↺): DC 20 check to give a +1 circumstance bonus to assisted skill check or attack roll (crit success: +2, +3 if master, +4 if legendary).
Crawl (◆, move): Move 5 feet while prone.
Delay (◇): Select this when your turn begins; take your turn later.
Drop Prone (◆, move): Fall prone.
Escape (◆, attack): Attempt to get free when grappled, restrained, or immobilized. Use unarmed attack modifier, Acrobatics, or Athletics.
Interact (◆, manipulate): Grab an object, open a door, draw an item, or do a similar action.
Leap (◆, move): Jump horizontally 10 feet (15 feet if your Speed is 30 feet or more), or vertically 3 feet and horizontally 5 feet.
Point Out (◆, auditory, manipulate, visual): You indicate a creature that you can see to one or more allies, gesturing in a direction and describing the distance verbally.
Ready (◆◆, concentrate): Prepare to take a single action or free action as a reaction with a trigger you designate.
Release (◇, manipulate): Release something you're holding without triggering reactions.
Seek (◆, concentrate, secret): Scan an area for signs of creatures or objects using Perception.
Sense Motive (◆, concentrate, secret): See if a creature is lying.
Stand (◆, move): You stand up from prone.
Step (◆, move): Move 5 feet without triggering reactions.
Stride (◆, move): Move up to your Speed.
Strike (◆, attack): Attack with a weapon or unarmed attack.
Take Cover (◆): Gain cover, or get greater cover if you have cover.
Exploration Mode (Basic Activities)
-Avoid Notice: You roll Stealth for initiative, *and may begin encounter Undetected to lower initiative foes from whom you have Cover or Concealment.
-Defend: You roll initiative normally (Perception) and begin the encounter with your Shield (*or Parry weapon) raised.
-Detect Magic: You roll initiative normally (Perception) and begin the encounter aware of any magical auras you can observe.
-Follow the Expert: *You may roll the mimicked skill for initiative, including bonuses bestowed by your ally for doing so (adding level to untrained check).
-Hustle: *If this encounter interrupted your Hustle, you may roll Athletics for initiative, and may or may not be Fatigued afterwards.
-Investigate: *You begin the encounter knowing the DC to identify known threats with chosen skill, and gain a +1 circumstance bonus this round.
-Repeat a Spell: You roll initiative normally (Perception), and begin the encounter with this spell already cast and/or sustained.
-Scout: You roll initiative normally (Perception), and you and your allies gain a +1 circumstance bonus to their initiative rolls.
-Search: You roll initiative normally (Perception), aware of hazards and secret doors whose Stealth DC your check meets or exceeds.
*(Italics) Are my interpretations of how these Activities transition from Exploration Mode to Encounter Mode!*
Held (2 hands): No Interact action needed to Draw
Worn (Bulk Capacity): One Interact action to Draw item
Worn Tools (2 Bulk max): Drawing/Stowing Worn Tools is part of same action to use if you have a free hand
Stowed (first two Bulk is "free" w/ Backpack): One Interact action to Draw backpack itself, another to Draw item from backpack.
