Hey there! I recently started running a table top game, which has sadly cut into my time to do pbp (If I'm in a game of yours already, don't worry, I already dropped the games that I knew I didn't have time for), and has also made me a bit anxious, since this is the first game I've ever run (Council of Thieves) , and my party is...strange, to put it lightly.
What I'm asking for is permission to watch and learn from one of the pbp adventure path games on the message boards. I'd normally just dot a random game, but I'd also like to have permission to ask some questions about how you're running the game, and what changes you've made to the adventure path. I'm hoping to read through the adventure path as you run it, and hopefully learn how to be a better DM from that (and a Council of Thieves game would be doubly awesome, though any adventure path will do). I'm not really asking for someone to actively tutor me (I'm not that crazy), I'm just looking for a dm that wouldn't mind me watching their game and maybe sometimes pm them about how they've been handling things/changes they've been forced to make.
I'm...kind of worried that made no sense at all, but that's the best way I know how to put it. Hopefully I posted this in the right place!
Strange indeed. May I ask does it have to be a pbp game and is that what you're running?
Feel free to lurk in Wardove's Rumble in the Jungle. It's a Serpent's Skull AP PbP with a lot of homebrew mixed in (the 1st 2500 posts are actually all homebrew before the AP actually starts). FWIW, we're still in the first book of the AP, Souls for the Smuggler's Shiv.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the OoC thread. Of course, if you're asking what I've changed, then that might be better handled in chat or some such. ;)
I haven't been in the Council of Thieves subforum, since I'm not running that game, but in general, the AP subfora provide what you're looking for: information on how different GMs are running the game and changes they've made. I know the Second Darkness forum has more than one thread on changes, additions, side treks, etc., and GMs are generally very willing to answer any questions other posters might have. Not that "watching" a PbP isn't a decent strategy, but if you are running the game IRL, you'll almost certainly catch up with and then pass the pace in a PbP.
You might also try the Campaign Journals subforum and look for Council of Thieves games to read how other GMs have run the adventure.
I'd -prefer- to watch a pbp game, since then I wouldn't have to worry about making a certain time every week, but I would be open to watching in on a chat game if the DM and players offered, especially if it was also Council of Thieves.
As to what I'm running, I'm running the Council of Thieves adventure path table top at least biweekly at a friend's house. I ran the first session last night, and while my players assured me they had fun, I'm very worried about how I'll be handling the parts that require more roleplay and quick thinking (ironic, since roleplay is my forte when I PC).
As for the problem of passing the game...yeah, I just started thinking about that. I'm not looking to see how people handle specific problems in the AP though, since I want my game to be somewhat unique anyway, what I am looking for is to watch how DMs handle problems as they come up, if that makes any sense. If not, I blame my lack of sleep. xD;
Hey thanks for saying so, that means a lot! I realize that you're running a tabletop game, but if you're looking for a few resources that you can use should you ever host your own PbP, check out some of the PfRPG 'tools' links in my profile. :)
Well I'm not sure that looking at a forum game will help you as much as you like. Particularly for the thigns in question. It's rather easy to think quickly and make changes on the fly in a forum game since you usually have time to think about it. That's why forum games tend to be in terms of higher quality when you can find one that moves at a comfortable pace for a long time. This is not to lower the value of people who regularly DM these games but an understanding that the skills you are trying to learn are probably not best found in this situation. Players do the weirdest things after all.
Example I'm not quite sure what to expect from my players in the Kingmaker game I'm about to start over Skype/Maptools. My past experiences have taught me to expect the unexpected and watch for them to tear up the charter upon meeting the first troll encounter and overthrowing the Stag Lord to become Bandit Kings.
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DMing live is something I have always had trouble with. Which is odd cause apparently my players have never ever noticed
I try to plan ahead (WAY ahead) and end up frustrating myself. Hell half the time I just fly by the seat of my pants, making things up as I go and growing the adventure organically (let me tell you, doing that for a dungeon is hilariously annoying)
As far as PBP goes, the one that I just finished reading (And its STILL GOING) is Aubrey's Rise of the Runelords PBP - FOUND HERE
That thing has been going on for nearly 4 years, and its amazing (only 1 person dropped out for good, and one other is kinda off and on) They are using Google Spreadsheet for maps as well.
So my advice? Dive in! Either play in a PBP (to get the player perspective) or just get your own game going.
I am (in the future) going to choose one of the start modules and run it probably.
You're welcome to follow along and ask any questions you like on any of mine.
I'd recommend the Rune Stones set (currently on episode 6 and running close on three years now). If you're interested, I'll send you the links to the whole series.
Aubrey is a legend. I bow at his feet.
You're more than welcome to follow my game if you so choose. You canin fact watch how I change my DMing style and evolve shall we say?
Curse of the Crimson Throne pt 1
Curse of the Crimson Throne pt 1 ooc
Curse of the Crimson Throne pt 2
Curse of the Crimson Throne pt 2 ooc
bit chaotic at the begining, but I find it's best to learn from one's mistakes and potential problems to help others. I'm sure you'll find it interesting and best to ask any questions in the second part's OOC as that is the live part and I will be keeping my eye on it.
Also make sure to say hi to the group too as some of them are DMs themselves and can give you any pointers you might want to ask.
edit: These are all modified to the pathfinder rules as it is pre-pathfinder AP.
Rev's Rune Stones (part 1)
Savage Blight (part 2)
A Little Learning (part 3)
Bloodsong of the Treeless Lands (part 4)
Courts of the Shadow Fey (part 5)
Return of the Rune Stones (part 6)
This is all 4e and has evolved into a campaign from very small beginnings. You can see for yourself the adaptations to maps and player information. Like everyone else, I learned (and am still learning) as I went along. A lot of our ooc discussion happened on the threads themselves, but feel free to ask about anything you want that isn't covered.
If you want to go in from the beginning, DM Heathy has just started a Carrion Crown game >here< which hasn't even seen its first battle. Heathy is a great GM though, and all the PCs are old hands, and more than willing to answer questions over on the OOC thread >Here<.
I would recommend anything from Aubs or Rev Rosey as well. DM Wellard is also a treat, and he is very good about picking up 'orphaned' games and keeping them going when the original creator pulls a 404. A quick search list is >here< with a few of his projects.