Greetings. I am new to the field as a player. Been a GM for pretty much 12 to 13 years and have not been a player until recently.
I am trying to find games to play in, I've been on this site for about a month now and have only really made it into one game by selection.
I am technically in four but one is pretty much dead, the other I am the only player, the third I kind of forced my way into, and the fourth I was one of a small list of applicants.
The solo game I'm in is by far my favorite.....but it is only me.
I really want to join a group of players in a Pathfinder Adventure Path. Start fresh, and progress in a steady well structured campaign.
My concepts have been rejected from about 10 to 12 different campaigns and I was hoping that maybe someone could give me advice on the best way to get accepted. I really want to be apart of one of these and I admit I am green when it comes to playing. So anything, anything at all would be nice to know.
Or I'll take an invitation to a starting game if anybody wants me.
I'm planning on starting another AP by the end of July (very likely Jade Regent, though maybe another one if I don't like the look or feel of it) - and I've seen you apply a lot now. I'm willing to give you a spot so you can be part of an AP, if you wish.
Thanks for the offer, I can't wait to see what you decide to do. I don't like to force my way into games though so I will still apply following the rules you lay down and make any changes you recomend. Oh and I'm sorry you didn't make it into my Furbiddian Expansion campaign. I couldn't find a completed character concept from you. I am sorry about that.
No worries, I couldn't draw enough inspiration to create a fully-fledged character in time.
Shanosuke's story sounds similar to mine. I have not had as many applications though. Been GMing for years but new to Pathfinder and PbP.
Funny how this thread pops after DM Hamied choices.
Will be watching for your AP recruitment thread to pop up Patcher.
Back to the drawing board.
Shanosuke's story sounds similar to mine. I have not had as many applications though. Been GMing for years but new to Pathfinder and PbP.
Funny how this thread pops after DM Hamied choices.
Will be watching for your AP recruitment thread to pop up Patcher.
Back to the drawing board.
Hamied's Carrion Crown was a campaign I was really looking forward too. I put a lot of thought into my character's and every time I am rejected, I end up losing that concept.
Also, I'm really starting to get annoyed with these Roleplay recruitments. It was fun the first time. The problem I have is how much effort I put into my character and reacting with others. After going through those difficult and competitive recruitment, I am again forced to say goodbye to a character I have grown attached too, in some cases a potential story. I'm in another recruitment right now that is doing this roleplay recruitment. The longer it goes on, the more I like my character, and the more annoyed I will be when I have to retire the character before they have had a chance to do anything. It is truly frustrating. Bah! But that is only my opinion. I'm sure everyone else on these messageboards loves it. That's fine
I will keep on trying to get one of my ideas accepted.
Why not keep the character to submit later on.
It is easier to re-work a fully statted PC to a new game than to keep making them.......
I guess It feels strange to me to simply remake a character. I get your point though. I just get flooded with so many ideas at once I just pluck one to fit whatever campaign I'm trying for. So I end up with a stink load of character concepts and almost always chose a new one every time. Maybe that is my problem?
Shan, I am running the Kingmaker as the DM and we recently had our arcanist. I was looking to fill it and would be happy to offer the slot to you. They only left Oleg's trading post for the very first time. Let me know so I can get a segway for you to jump in. As far as character concepts go anything from any of the pathfinder books (core,apg, uc, um) but if there is a 3rd party class or race you particularly like then I will look it over and decide. It is a 25 point buy, average starting wealth, 2 traits one from the campaign.
Neat, Kingmaker was one of those APs I've wanted to try. How would I be able to fit in? Like what class and Character are you looking for. I got hundreds.......just give me an idea of what kind of dynamic your looking for.
Hey,
I'm a nobody here and my name was the first selected name for DM Alexander Kilcoyne's Sargavan Saga game. I know that isn't saying much to you, and actually it probably doesn't say much to anyone, but nevertheless it means a lot to me. And that... that is the point I'm trying to make. (If that makes sense.) What I'm trying to say is find that game that you'd LOVE to be in. Be it an awesome concept for a game, like say a dashingly handsome GM comes along and were to combine Rise of the Runelords, Kingmaker and stuff from Game of Thrones into single game or maybe a well-respected GM on these boards is hosting a game and you want to belong to a group of players as dedicated as yourself. After that, I just leave it all on the dancefloor, so to speak.
Try reading some of those ongoing games that you wish you could have been a part of. See what kind of characters were selected and the effort that was put into their applications and simply be better than the ones you read. Or at least match it.
Try being the first person to show up with a well thought out arcane caster. In my limited experience, no one except maybe one poor soul will challenge you for that arcanist position throughout the entire recruitment.
Finally, keep up the good work with Areanna. :)
Neat, Kingmaker was one of those APs I've wanted to try. How would I be able to fit in? Like what class and Character are you looking for. I got hundreds.......just give me an idea of what kind of dynamic your looking for.
We are looking for an arcanist of sorts so Wizard, Sorcerer, Magus, etc would be prefered. But as I mentioned above if you really like a 3rd party arcanist let me know so I can look it over.
Our current party consists of:Human Ranger (skill monkey)
Centaur Ranger
Hobgoblin Fighter
Human Cleric
I am not sure what half of that meant but it defianty sounded from the heart.....or written....you know what I mean. I am running 10 different campaigns now and I know how hard it can be to be a GM. So I'm sorry if my ranting got on anybodies nerves. I just needed to vent a bit. I wont complain about a GMs decision, just like to try and improve is all.
@Olodir All the same, I am starting to enjoy Areanna a bit, this thread was merely trying to gain advice or to let any GMs looking for players know that I am available. I am not using this thread to throw myself a pity party. So make your choice how you see fit. I will keep trying to get in. I wont go down easy.
@Gan or Erefine
I noticed you let a centaur in, what other races are you allowing?
I am not sure what half of that meant but it defianty sounded from the heart.....or written....you know what I mean. I am running 10 different campaigns now and I know how hard it can be to be a GM. So I'm sorry if my ranting got on anybodies nerves. I just needed to vent a bit. I wont complain about a GMs decision, just like to try and improve is all.
@Olodir All the same, I am starting to enjoy Areanna a bit, this thread was merely trying to gain advice or to let any GMs looking for players know that I am available. I am not using this thread to throw myself a pity party. So make your choice how you see fit. I will keep trying to get in. I wont go down easy.
@Gan or Erefine
I noticed you let a centaur in, what other races are you allowing?
I am pretty open to races as long as there is a compelling backstory so if you have always wanted to be x,y, or z, let me know and we can probably work something out.
Just so you know my party likes an arcanist from the recruitment thread. So as far as roles in the kingdom goes, we would probably need either someone like a front line general. I am willing to run a party of 6 no problem.
P.S. I know the feeling I got rejected by you three times to get into one of your campaign...lol
Just so you know my party likes an arcanist from the recruitment thread. So as far as roles in the kingdom goes, we would probably need either someone like a front line general. I am willing to run a party of 6 no problem.
P.S. I know the feeling I got rejected by you three times to get into one of your campaign...lol
Yeah I saw you name come up in a couple. I remember heavily considering you too. There was a problem I had, though I cannot for the life of me remember what made me decide not to take you. I'm sorry that happened dude. I try and grab at least a couple of new folks for my campaigns so they don't have the same problem I do. I believe I am running six new folks right now.
At any rate. Seems as though you got the Archanist role filled. Thanks for the offer. I'm not very good with Arcane classes anyways.
I want to bring you in and we really need a field general type class. Think defender or tank.
P.S. Also no worries man I don't hold anything against ya.
Or if you would rather we need a healer in one of my homebrew games.
I will hold either one of the spots for ya.
Hey I wanted say thanks for all the input. I wasn't sure what to expect from my complaining but I feel loads better. I'm ready to get back out there and do some applying. I noticed a few more campaigns looking for players to crop up and i'm gonna grab some of my older concepts.
Erefine thanks for the consideration. I had a dwarf two weapon fighter I never got to use as a tank. He never got picked but I think he'd fit in if you'd like. Also, if allowed, I have a lizardfolk concept I've always wanted to run. Let me know what you think.
Hey I wanted say thanks for all the input. I wasn't sure what to expect from my complaining but I feel loads better. I'm ready to get back out there and do some applying. I noticed a few more campaigns looking for players to crop up and i'm gonna grab some of my older concepts.
Erefine thanks for the consideration. I had a dwarf two weapon fighter I never got to use as a tank. He never got picked but I think he'd fit in if you'd like. Also, if allowed, I have a lizardfolk concept I've always wanted to run. Let me know what you think.
I think a lizardfolk would be kind of fun you would have a great party diversity.
Trust me, I know the feeling that you're going through -- it sucks to come up with a concept, figure out how it can fit into the world, get the moment of inspiration that turns it into a full-fledged character and then not make it (especially after a long RP-type application process, where it sort of feels like you did all that just to entertain the GM...).
What 'saved' me (I think), however, were a few people who were running single-modules rather than AP, at least one of which was entirely for new players. It gives you the ability to try things out, and at the same time, prove that you can be a regular (and useful) poster.
Also, I started holding on to the characters, because a lot of the recruitment threads are for APs (or at least based on them), and so the amazing idea you had for one thread can be brought back (though some rebuilding may be required).
So, yes, like I said, I sympathize and wish you well -- heck, to be totally honest, I was very much debating whether I had the time to run a game (other than my Pen and Paper weekly) just to invite you in, because I've enjoyed some of your applications.
I'm intrigued by this topic. As one who has used the RP-recruitment method twice now, I know how draining and disappointing it can be for the applicants who don't get selected. On the other side of the screen (so to speak), it actually does make the selection harder, I think. It's easier to arbitrarily pick players based on their character builds and the little bit of background they've offered up, as they haven't poured as much time and energy into bringing their creations to life.
I think I'm still in favor of the RP-recruitment, but if I do it again, I might scale it back a bit. Perhaps I'll ask applicants to respond to specific questions (as I do already), but not give them a scenario to play out. I'm not sure. Thanks for the food for thought, Shano.
The problems are-
1. There aren't enough people willing to DM, meaning theres an abundance of players.
2. Despite that, I find you have to be very selective in your players to avoid disappointment- because so many just disappear on you. Seeing someone take the time to write up a quality submission helps to assure me they won't bail on a game I put a LOT of time into. I also tend to look at people's posting habits; if I can see they've been active a while on the forums and are in other long-running PbP's I often give them priority.
I also tend to look at people's posting habits; if I can see they've been active a while on the forums and are in other long-running PbP's I often give them priority.
While I agree with this - it's also a double-edged sword. New posters are fickle, this is true. But a lot of hopeful potential players disappear because they never find a game, because they don't have a posting history. "Oh, I didn't get accepted this time either... maybe I'm wasting my time."
But you're right - I, for one, want reliable posters who aren't wont to vanishing. Posting history gives me that guarantee. Usually. At the same time, I also think new posters should be allowed to try - as long as they can guarantee they'll stick around.
I also tend to look at people's posting habits; if I can see they've been active a while on the forums and are in other long-running PbP's I often give them priority.While I agree with this - it's also a double-edged sword. New posters are fickle, this is true. But a lot of hopeful potential players disappear because they never find a game, because they don't have a posting history. "Oh, I didn't get accepted this time either... maybe I'm wasting my time."
But you're right - I, for one, want reliable posters who aren't wont to vanishing. Posting history gives me that guarantee. Usually. At the same time, I also think new posters should be allowed to try - as long as they can guarantee they'll stick around.
Agreed- I do try and give one or two new people a chance when I run recruitment. But i'm talking specifically about people disappearing once accepted into games- which is frustrating as hell, and still happens even with a very selective application process (although in my experience this has lessened the amount significantly which is why I advocate it).
With that notion, I can only agree.
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I hate getting rejected as much as the next guy, but it is a problem with the limit of GMs. I run several home games and I'm running my first PFS game tonight, but I just don't have the time to run a game in PbP format. My philosophy is I come up with the most interesting character I can, and if it doesn't get in, there's always another game.
Having experienced first hand games where a player (or the GM) leave after starting the game, I can see why GMs are so selective in the recruiting process. The roleplaying applications are both good and bad. Good because they give you a chance to see that person in action, as well as lets them flesh out their character and test party interaction. Bad because if you miss the first few dozen (or hundred!) posts in the recruitment thread it can be intimidating to jump in so late in the game.
For what its worth I do think patience is a virtue in pbp submissions. I got lucky with my first character, which then springboarded me into eventually 3 more games...
I've had kickbacks on a couple of characters that I had real high hopes for, but know they'll get their chance eventually.
As Tilnar mentioned hold on to characters - if an AP enticed you once, it'll probably come up again.
I'm also one of those players who'll turn DM soon - I'm running my own labour of love pbp in the fall: an Iobarian-centric conversation of UK2&3 The Sentinel & The Gauntlet
However like DM AK & Patcher touched on I've already mooted out 4 players whom I already pbp with, as I'm also hoping for reliable posters, [ but will probably look for a couple more though].
As you can tell by the number of GMs who responded in this thread, the GMs here are nice and friendly indigenous folks on these boards and don't actually mean you harm and when you're not selected in their PbP.
GMing a PbP is like if Sisyphus was rolling a boulder up a hill voluntarily and that boulder was an amazing Paizo AP. We're just trying not to get hurt and see it roll back down the hill when we ask you to write up a backstory and roleplay for before being selected.
2. Despite that, I find you have to be very selective in your players to avoid disappointment- because so many just disappear on you. Seeing someone take the time to write up a quality submission helps to assure me they won't bail on a game I put a LOT of time into.
Interesting; I don't think I've seen much correlation between how much effort a player has put into a PC and how long the player will remain in the game. All of the long-running games I'm playing in at the moment had a "first come, first served" recruitment policy.
I also tend to look at people's posting habits; if I can see they've been active a while on the forums and are in other long-running PbP's I often give them priority.
Now this, I agree with. A person with a long posting history will probably continue posting in the future.
Its a trend i've spotted having DM'd three or four games, playing/played in about a dozen and lurking on more, but YMMV of course.
The same is often true of DM's- sometimes the one that comes out of nowhere with an ambitious adventure idea is the first to disappear (Pentor Lionsmane's mercenary games anyone?).
As with many things, getting your foot in the door is the hardest part. Once you get a chance to play and make some contacts it gets easier as people know who you are. I think perhaps it is unfortunate that there is so much emphasis put on the APs as that is a looong commitment (year or two possibly).
It might help if more folks tried just running a module or Pathfinder Society adventure to get the resume up so to speak. I think there would be less hesitancy to try an umproven player and with quicker turn around, one would have the chance to play with more people.
and let me say, I for one am not so keen on posting background novellas. although it shows some commitment and thinking about the character, i prefer to develop my persona in group.
Who's Pentor Lionsmane?
Successful PBPing is quite a difficult task, but it always comes down to commitment. One of my campaigns is a good example, since ALL of the starting five characters left and were replaced...campaign still runs smoothly and I can hardly remember the names of the guys who left.
I think perhaps it is unfortunate that there is so much emphasis put on the APs as that is a looong commitment (year or two possibly).
Depends on the AP but that estimate is actually very conversative. I run the fastest KM game on the forums and I estimate three years total before we finish- mininum.
Who's Pentor Lionsmane?
He came, he recruited not one, but THREE groups of players- and promptly ran within the first two weeks.
Pentor was indeed the original GM for that multi-thread game, think its now being run by co-DM's who were originally drafted to run combats, help move things along etc. Least that's how it was shaping up when I was a player in one of the squads - no idea how its going now.
Oh yeah I remember all these strange thread names poppoing up. Did he leave without notice? Then there might always be some grave reasons behind it -_-
Oh yeah I remember all these strange thread names poppoing up. Did he leave without notice? Then there might always be some grave reasons behind it -_-
I have no idea - just dropped out I think... some of the co-DM's were in email contact so might have a better idea.
uffda does some it up though...
DM AK,
What do you mean the fastest KM game on the forums?
I thought I was chugging along just fine, didn't know it was a race!
;)
Heh, if it was a race i'd stop adding more content!
Did you happen to make a "custom" battle map for the.......
Kingmaker
** spoiler omitted **
Personally I didn't expect this thread to turn into this kind of discussion. I was merely looking for advice or an invitation.
I noticed the lack of DMs too, which is why I am currently running five campaigns. Running these campaigns so far has been pretty easy and I may open a couple more. I tend to increase my max number of players accepted so it doesn't hurt the game if one or two drop out. Also I try and nab one or two new guys for each game. Got quite a few of them so far.
I've read all the advice you guys have given and I apologize if I sounded like a complainer. I just have never been a player before a couple months ago and I really wanted to get into a steady game. I've just been having trouble.
I will keep trying. And as a GM I may post another recruitment for folks to get into. I am hesitant to post any of the pathfinder adventure paths because I want to complete them as a player before I GM one. Serpent Skull is the one I'm farthest in. I have not been able to get into any others.
Thanks for all you have said. It is a big deal.
Oh and if future GMs are curious, I have been a GM for 12 years and believe heavily in dedication. So I'm one of those who is not likely to disappear any time soon.
that's the creepiest part for me. someone just disappears without a word and you wonder if they're OK. seems like even if you can't continue, you'd just drop on for a moment at some point to say, "Sorry, stuff came up."