I like to run simple, PF 1e oneshots. There's a bit of RP as the characters meet, some social and exploration skill checks to briefly pursue the plot hook and put the party in a more favorable position, then a boss fight. It's great for making a fun character and getting to run them through their paces. At the same time, it doesn't require a long commitment, which is the bane of PBP. I have a lot of experience with PF 1e, PBP, and oneshots like this.
The problem: I like to play in good games, not just GM them. There are way more players than there are good GMs. The simplest, non-traditional solution I have is to GM a oneshot like this for someone, plus other party members, with the request that they would run a oneshot for me in return.
I am happy to GM first since "This whole operation was [my] idea." Further, I am happy to have my partner GM set some general parameters for what they would enjoy in their oneshot like level, gestalt/no, all bard party, difficulty level, spheres of power and might allowed, etc.
Some preferences of mine that apply both as a player and as a GM:
1. Roll20 for maps
2. Fairly frequent posting expectations, such as 5 posts a week
3. PG-13 content (I'm fine with PG instead but R is not my thing)
4. Little to no player-vs-player conflict
5. ~10% chance of TPK, especially if party isn't smart
I can be flexible on these as necessary.
Let me know if you are interested in such an exchange! I'd be interested to hear a little bit about your GM style If you want, also let me know what you would hypothetically like when you play and I GM. If there is a surplus of interest, I will select a partner GM based on their experience and GM philosophy.
I am interested in such an exchange. I have yet to play here at the forums - an in-person I'm usually the GM, so not a lot of chances there either. I'd be okay with playing and hosting a game, and if we get a rotation of one-shots, that's fine by me too.
We could also rotate on the books of an AP. Each GM hosts a book and carries its own PC as an NPC while hosting (then goes back to playing when someone else is hosting). I would be open to this as well.
Hey Caster!
I'm up for something along these lines. I have two or three quirky little games I've been considering running, and I'd be happy to do a swap.
Hi JonGarrett! That sounds quite fun. I'm happy to go ahead and declare you my partner GM and give this a whirl. Since I'm running first, let me know what parameters you'd like and then we can recruit the rest of the party. Some parameters I can think off off the top of my head for you to let me know what kind of oneshot you'd like:
1. Level?
2. What point buy?
3. Optional systems like feat taxes, background skills, spheres of power and might, gestalt, mythic, etc?
4. Preferred chance of a TPK?
5. Certain thematic elements, like hunting a vampire?
6. Ratios of social, exploration&investigation, or combat in the content?
Hi Lapyd! Welcome to the forums. Getting into games is tough since it's competitive but once you know some people, it gets easier. For example, JonGarrett and I have played together multiple times for years now so I'm going to pick him as my partner GM. But I'm interested in looping you into this. For now, I'm not looking to overcommit across multiple partner GMs, whole books of an AP, or anything like that. But I'd be happy to give your submission an edge if you apply to play in the first game (me GMing for JonGarrett+party members) and then we can see where we go from there! If this works nicely, we might keep doing it for a while.
I'd be interested in doing this. I don't have the resources to run a longer game, but I could definitely do a one-shot.
That’s alright, caster. I’ll gladly apply on this first game. In my mind, though, if we get a group of 5 or 6 GMs, we can just rotate between ourselves without the need of applications/etc.; but I don’t mind whatever route.
JonGarret is PMing me about details of what he'd enjoy.
Hi Philo. I will likely have a recruitment thread up today or tomorrow for the first game so I'll let you know. Just joining as a player to start would be the main way to go.
Lapyd: Sounds fun! I'd like to do a simple start and then consider something more ambitious.
Hmm...I was debating offering a trade for folks myself of a sorts.
There is an ancient game system I've always wanted to run properly (as an adult having a better grasp of what I'm doing). I'd be down for getting a general table together to swap one-shots in general, if you and/or others might be okay with different systems?
As to the main topic, I'd happily run a one shot for you.
I also prefer Roll20. I'm a bit shorter on average substantive posts, usually shoot for 3/week of something beyond just answering a question or having snappy dialogue. Total agreement with points 3 + 4. I tend too avoid TPKs unless richly deserved,not sure what odds I could give you though, lol.
Personally, I'm not looking to learn a different system right now. But others are welcome to chime in differently and form splinter groups.
Since I said it out loud, I will probably just put out a thread about it lol. Still down to run and/or play a OS or two.
We could also rotate on the books of an AP. Each GM hosts a book and carries its own PC as an NPC while hosting (then goes back to playing when someone else is hosting). I would be open to this as well.
That, BTW, could be a lot of fun. I'd be very interested in taking that project on.
Recruitment thread for first oneshot is up.
We could also rotate on the books of an AP. Each GM hosts a book and carries its own PC as an NPC while hosting (then goes back to playing when someone else is hosting). I would be open to this as well.That, BTW, could be a lot of fun. I'd be very interested in taking that project on.
Just let me know, mate! I'd love to participate. I'm just starting here at these forums, like I said, but had been GMing in real life for some time, and had GMed before in other non-Pathfinder forums.