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PbP campaigns work pretty much the same way as tabletop games, they just move at a far slower pace.
Dice rolls and roleplaying are handled via formatted text (check out the formatted text spoiler below the text box.)
The best way to get an idea of what to expect is the read through a few of the many active campaigns currently running.
As for the rest. We are a pretty friendly community. People will generally answer you questions and help you if asked.
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There is a dice roller built into the forums.
For example:
Is generated by: [dice]1d20+5{/dice]
The forums tracks dice rolled, so you can't just delete a post and retype. Gaming the system by making pointless rolls becomes obvious fairly quickly.
Typically, I will preview my post, with the dice roll results. I can then tailor my in game text to reflect the outcome of my die rolls. In the above example, I could describe my character making a social blunder and horribly failing her diplomacy check as part of my initial post.
These forums are primarily "Play by Post." The players play by essentially a sequence of posts. The good news is... it is fantastic for storytelling and roleplaying. It is also good for new people to have a chance to reference the rules before choosing their action.
The downside is the action can be verry slow.
There is another style of gaming you can keep your eye out for called "Virtual Table Top." This is done with a shared map on an online server, interactive tokens for your characters and the NPCs/Monsters, and some kind of voice chat.
Many people use Maptools & Skype. There are several good alternatives though. You might see "VTT" recruitments here occasionally. There is also roll20.net which has its own system and has frequent recruitments. Paizo is working up its own virtual tabletop, which I'm pretty psyched about.
These are a little intensive to get started, but fun once you get going. And lots of friendly knowledgable people to help you out, under the "Advice" boards.
There is a dice roller built into the forums.
For example: 1d20+5
Is generated by: 1d20+5{/dice]
The forums tracks dice rolled, so you can't just delete a post and retype. Gaming the system by making pointless rolls becomes obvious fairly quickly.
Typically, I will preview my post, with the dice roll results. I can then tailor my in game text to reflect the outcome of my die rolls. In the above example, I could describe my character making a social blunder and horribly failing her diplomacy check as part of my initial post.
I do the same both as a DM for saying that a warrior has either critted or fumbled a blade swing.
I like the sound of the VTT, sounds more like what Id really enjoy. Ill look into VTT.
Easiest VTT out there is Maptool from rptools though that is also because the creator has also posted videos on his site on how to use the program and when you play around with the program yourself, you can soon learn a few tricks yourself.
The advantage to PbP is people post when they can: you don't need to have everybody online at the same time. The GM basically determines the pace.
As an example,Here is a game I started running about three weeks ago.
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Thanks Doomed Hero. That's just what I've been looking for. I hope your destiny improves.
You can also play by email (PBEM); a variation of the play by post (PBP) game.
This site has some rules and examples of play: https://sites.google.com/site/pbemfabianscarrioncrown/home
I hope you find what you're looking for.
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I've been running hi-bred campaigns (players in the room and online) for almost three years now. I utilize two computers, three HD webcams and a free steaming video service (Twitch.tv). I do not use a VTT, opting instead to use a real game board with real miniatures. The game board camera is on a boom style microphone stand. This allows me the freedom to adjust and zoom in my display as needed. I park a 27" flat screen at the game table. My other cameras are dialed into Skype (group video) so all my players can see one another. I use technology to communicate and convey the game, not replace or change it.
IMHO, both VTT & PbP play lack a necessary amount of social interaction.
VTT. Feels too much like a video game to me.
PbP. Play advances painfully slow and requires heaps of reading/writing time to participate.
You're welcome to check out some of the archived videos on Twitch to see what I'm talking about. Keep in mind, you're only seeing half the media, since we don't stream our Skype calls. But my room is mic'd and I run the sound through a mixing board, so you can still hear all the players.
Happy New Year!
~@~