Advice on PbP on this site

[Unearthly Serpent]

I know this section has nothing to do with play by post games, but since the dedicated part of the messageboards doesn't seem to have (as far as I can see) a subsection for things like this, I didn'tk know where else to ask.

I'm not new to PbP games, but I'm new to doing it on this site AND english isn't my mother language (I think I'm fairly good at it -consider that all my Pathfinder books are in english and I don't remember having a single issue with them-, but I may not get some colloquial linguistic constructions here and there or understand exactly what some words mean in certain situations). So, since I noticed this site has a number of features specifically for running campaigns and that all the recruitment threads are already overflooded with players wanting to join, I wanted to ask if any good soul is willing to introduce me to said features and advise me on how to properly join some game (other than trying to submit interesting characters, of course).

[GM Bold Strider]

If you are interested in playing PFS PbP, then I recommend the Flaxseed Lodge as an easy way to enlist for games.

Here is the link: Here!

If you have any questions, feel free to message me or any of the GMs there. We are all extremely helpful.

[Christopher Dudley]

Unearthly Serpent wrote:

... I wanted to ask if any good soul is willing to introduce me to said features and advise me on how to properly join some game (other than trying to submit interesting characters, of course).

You're not the only one. I think it would be immensely helpful if there were a "Sticky" post at the top of the Recruitment board to help people who don't know HOW to join a game.

I'll also flag this post for movement into the "Website Feedback" forum. Not sure if it belongs there, since I'm the one making the sticky request, and Serpent is just asking for someone to tell him how to do it.

[Kobold Catgirl]

This may help.
And this, too.

Also, General Discussion and Play-By-Post Discussion are where these sorts of threads tend to end up.

EDIT: On a minor note, one really handy bit of formatting the first guide doesn't mention is that you can tag a dice roll {dice=Like this}1d20{/dice}, so it looks like Like this: 1d20 ⇒ 17

[thejeff]

Kobold Cleaver wrote:

This may help.

And this, too.

Also, General Discussion and Play-By-Post Discussion are where these sorts of threads tend to end up.

EDIT: On a minor note, one really handy bit of formatting the first guide doesn't mention is that you can tag a dice roll {dice=Like this}1d20{/dice}, so it looks like [dice=Like this]1d20

Another formatting tip: The dice rolls stay the same when you preview and then post, so you can preview, then add to your post based on the results (ex. Adding another roll to confirm a threatened critical, or just your character's reaction to an obviously good or bad roll) without cluttering the thread with more posts.

[Kobold Catgirl]

And as long as we're giving tips, here's a big one about character sheet formatting that guide doesn't mention: Your character sheet's Class/Levels tab will show up next to your avatar when you post in a PbP forum. As you can see here, Astraden has taken advantage of this to put in some "quick facts" like Armor Class, current HP, Perception, and Initiative. This is unbelievably handy to the harried GM, and to you, too!

[Unearthly Serpent]

Sorry for the late reply, I wasn't able to submit messages...

GM Bold Strider wrote:

If you are interested in playing PFS PbP, then I recommend the Flaxseed Lodge as an easy way to enlist for games.

Thanks for the kind recommendation. I fear I have to decline PFS, though, because (correct me if I'm wrong, I don't know PFS too well and this might be just my own misunderstanding) being official and all, it must adhere strictly to some rules and also the PCs jump from adventure to adventure with no real connection, while I hoped to play a "normal" campaign with no outer bounds for the GM.

thejeff wrote:

Another formatting tip: The dice rolls stay the same when you preview and then post, so you can preview, then add to your post based on the results (ex. Adding another roll to confirm a threatened critical, or just your character's reaction to an obviously good or bad roll) without cluttering the thread with more posts.

I think that's also to prevent cheating, although I fear that if one really wants, cheating these rolls is not that difficult.

Anyway, tell me if I got it correct: apart from the in-depth tips, basically I see a recruitment thread I like, I make a forum alias for the character I'd like to play there and compile its character sheet, and then reply to the recruitment thread saying I want to apply with that character, right?

[thejeff]

Unearthly Serpent wrote:

Anyway, tell me if I got it correct: apart from the in-depth tips, basically I see a recruitment thread I like, I make a forum alias for the character I'd like to play there and compile its character sheet, and then reply to the recruitment thread saying I want to apply with that character, right?

That's usually teh best approach, though it's also pretty common to post with your normal account, saying that your interested, maybe a brief character concept and that full character details will follow.

If you do have trouble finding a game to get into - or one that lasts, since many implode fairly quickly, you might want to reconsider PFS. Even if it's not what you're really looking for, it can be a good way to build a bit of a reputation as a stable player who's not going to join up and vanish.

[Oykiv]

I need some advice too!!

As Unearthly Serpent english is not my mother lenguaje. But in my case, I´m fairly new to PbP and when thinking in Gming I´m afrid of some problems I had with slang, accents and similar, so I want to GM my first games in spanish, if posible.

I suppose The more games the better, but wanted to ask first.

[Nebten]

English only on Paizo's boards.

[GM Niles]

I know for a fact that there were some Portuguese guys running a game for players from Brazil and Portugal. I don't know if it is still running but it happened.

[thejeff]

I suspect they wouldn't really care about a game thread in Spanish, whatever the posted policy. Just that if posts get flagged, they're likely to delete them/lock the thread rather than worry about trying to failure moderate them.

[Oykiv]

Ok, is a pity, but I can understand why.

Thanks por the help