Snips
09-14-2006, 08:46 PM
Okay, if the topic title confused you, I don't blame you. I felt that this would be out of place in the Table Top game thing, since although this is a D&D kind of game, it's not exactly tabletop, if it's online.
Basically, I've taken the version 2 rules of D&D and modified them slightly, and I'm planning on running campaigns via MSN. Here's how it works:
1) If I know the game, It can be based off just about anything, as long as there's set classes/ jobs (races are an extra, but are appreciated) Basically, I can run several, perhaps Final Fantasy (since it has Dragoons, White mages, etc), Breath of Fire (since it sort of divides into fighters, mages, rangers (ranged weapon users), and hybrids) and if someone's willing to give me enough info I need to run it, Suikoden since I've heard it's so awesome.
The only annoying part is making the equipment lists, but there shouldn't be a problem with keeping them similar to the original lists I have; Platemail is Platemail, regardless of game.
2) PM me if you're interested, give me suggestions of what game you'd want to play, and give me your IM (I don't have AIM/ YIM/ Trillian, and I'm not allowed to download either since our Norton Liveupdate expired, so please make sure you'll be able to reach me on my MSN account, since I know some IMs only allow messenging with those with emails with that specific service.
3) I'll place you in the respective groups on my MSN to make tracking easy. We can discuss tentative times to play, and if someone can't make it, no biggie. If it's a big group, and only one person doesn't make it, we'll play anyways, and your character will be an NPC for the day or until you show up (in other words, I'll try not to get you killed.
Talk to me via IM and I'll help you get your character started. For the most part, it's done by dice rolls. However, since not everyone may have the correct dice (there's lots of different kinds) and since I can't moderate over the rolls since I can't see them, I can do the rolls for you. You may do them yourself if you show me your dice rolls via webcam or something.
Below is the RPG rules I've been writing, just to explain the bare necessities and explaining the rules you'd need to follow in order to play.
RPG
From this point, Saphere Eude from the Evermore Forums, known in real life as Adam Whyte, will be referred to as the Game Master, or GM for short. Simple enough?
1. How the games will work.
These games work best either face to face or via IM so that there can be multiple things going on at once rather than waiting for one participant to post on the message boards. Therefore, since the GM isn't allowed to download since it's his sister's comp and it already has MSN messenger, the games will be held via MSN.
For those who never played an RPG of this format before, the GM explains a scenario (example: you're all sitting around the table eating at an inn). Then, as events unfold (example: a cute barmaid arrives to give you your drinks) the players get to decide what to do (example: your party's thief hits on the barmaid) and the GM explains what happens (example: the barmaid runs away screaming, or maybe she slaps him, or maybe she even takes a liking to him)
As such, battles proceed in a similar fashion. Once initiative is rolled (determines order) upon your character's turn, you decide what weapon to use, or even whether you should attack at all. A mage who's out of magic might be better off hiding during a long battle, for example. The GM will handle all dice rolls, to prevent any cheating and the like. Just being cautious; it's not unusual to get a critical hit when you need it most, but the GM has no way of supervising dice rolls.
2. The battle system
The battle system used in Version 2 of Dungeons and Dragons will be the basis for this RPG. There will be some modifications made by the GM to ensure that all stats are used, rather than some being more important than others. For example: Dexterity bonuses will now be used to influence initiative, and having a charisma bonus will enable allies to fight a little bit better, including pets and mercs.
Some key elements to know include:
Thaco: Your ability to hit is called Thaco (To Hit Armor Class I forget what the o is) The lower your thaco, the better! You subtract your opponent's AC from your Thaco and that's what roll you need on a D20 (20 sided dice) to hit them. There may be racial bonuses to Thaco for specific weapons... if the GM deems it appropriate.
AC: Armor class. Again, lower is better! Your basic is 10, and you have an added bonus for frontal attacks since you see them coming; for example, Chain Mail has AC 5. Comboned with a shield (-1 AC, making the new AC AC 4) A foe with a Thaco of 20 needs a 16+ on a D20 to hit
The Dice: D4: 4 Sided dice D6: 6 sided dice, etc... it's important to know all this since weapon damage is often things like D6+2 (3-8) or 2D4 (2-8) and there's never a fixed damage.
3. Player Killing
To quote the man who got me hooked on these games, "I don't kill players, stupid players kill players. Keep stupidity and grudges out of the game." What does this mean? As GM, I will no doubt put you in potentially difficult situations, but you should be able to handle it. If your character dies off, it's due to the players. Example: A Warrior is done fighting something, and turns to see thier healer about to be killed. However, due to the warrior being mad at the healer for reasons outside the game, he doesn't help. I will take this very seriously and possibly boot these players out of the game if problems continue.
4. Inactivity
I'm a grade 12 student, I know from experience that you won't always have free time. Therefore, we shall set tentative game dates and "if you can't make it, no biggie." However, if just one or two people from a decent sized group (say 6 or more) don't show up, the GM will treat their characters as NPCs (non player characters; basically, the GM will play their characters for them) for that gaming session and the game will continue as always. a chat log will be saved and made available to anyone who missed a game. If the GM is unable to show up, sadly, this means no game at all.
However, if you never make it, ever, you will be contacted via email or PM, and if you still don't show up, I may remove you from the campaign.
5. Other:
Create a backstory! Where is your character from, what was their life like? Play the part! If your character was originally part of a church of some sort, for example, don't make them swearing at everyone! (Trades/ working/ slave/ middle to upper class accpeted. Royalty, nobility, are restricted to an extent. I could roll for your social class for you, and that's the only way to get royalty, to be fair. Enough said.) Share the story with the GM; for all you know, your party might wind up in your hometown one day!
Be prepared! Don't expect everyone else to have supplies and mooch off them; they may do the same thing! Rope is always useful, hint hint!
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me. I'll answer you as best I can.
Basically, I've taken the version 2 rules of D&D and modified them slightly, and I'm planning on running campaigns via MSN. Here's how it works:
1) If I know the game, It can be based off just about anything, as long as there's set classes/ jobs (races are an extra, but are appreciated) Basically, I can run several, perhaps Final Fantasy (since it has Dragoons, White mages, etc), Breath of Fire (since it sort of divides into fighters, mages, rangers (ranged weapon users), and hybrids) and if someone's willing to give me enough info I need to run it, Suikoden since I've heard it's so awesome.
The only annoying part is making the equipment lists, but there shouldn't be a problem with keeping them similar to the original lists I have; Platemail is Platemail, regardless of game.
2) PM me if you're interested, give me suggestions of what game you'd want to play, and give me your IM (I don't have AIM/ YIM/ Trillian, and I'm not allowed to download either since our Norton Liveupdate expired, so please make sure you'll be able to reach me on my MSN account, since I know some IMs only allow messenging with those with emails with that specific service.
3) I'll place you in the respective groups on my MSN to make tracking easy. We can discuss tentative times to play, and if someone can't make it, no biggie. If it's a big group, and only one person doesn't make it, we'll play anyways, and your character will be an NPC for the day or until you show up (in other words, I'll try not to get you killed.
Talk to me via IM and I'll help you get your character started. For the most part, it's done by dice rolls. However, since not everyone may have the correct dice (there's lots of different kinds) and since I can't moderate over the rolls since I can't see them, I can do the rolls for you. You may do them yourself if you show me your dice rolls via webcam or something.
Below is the RPG rules I've been writing, just to explain the bare necessities and explaining the rules you'd need to follow in order to play.
RPG
From this point, Saphere Eude from the Evermore Forums, known in real life as Adam Whyte, will be referred to as the Game Master, or GM for short. Simple enough?
1. How the games will work.
These games work best either face to face or via IM so that there can be multiple things going on at once rather than waiting for one participant to post on the message boards. Therefore, since the GM isn't allowed to download since it's his sister's comp and it already has MSN messenger, the games will be held via MSN.
For those who never played an RPG of this format before, the GM explains a scenario (example: you're all sitting around the table eating at an inn). Then, as events unfold (example: a cute barmaid arrives to give you your drinks) the players get to decide what to do (example: your party's thief hits on the barmaid) and the GM explains what happens (example: the barmaid runs away screaming, or maybe she slaps him, or maybe she even takes a liking to him)
As such, battles proceed in a similar fashion. Once initiative is rolled (determines order) upon your character's turn, you decide what weapon to use, or even whether you should attack at all. A mage who's out of magic might be better off hiding during a long battle, for example. The GM will handle all dice rolls, to prevent any cheating and the like. Just being cautious; it's not unusual to get a critical hit when you need it most, but the GM has no way of supervising dice rolls.
2. The battle system
The battle system used in Version 2 of Dungeons and Dragons will be the basis for this RPG. There will be some modifications made by the GM to ensure that all stats are used, rather than some being more important than others. For example: Dexterity bonuses will now be used to influence initiative, and having a charisma bonus will enable allies to fight a little bit better, including pets and mercs.
Some key elements to know include:
Thaco: Your ability to hit is called Thaco (To Hit Armor Class I forget what the o is) The lower your thaco, the better! You subtract your opponent's AC from your Thaco and that's what roll you need on a D20 (20 sided dice) to hit them. There may be racial bonuses to Thaco for specific weapons... if the GM deems it appropriate.
AC: Armor class. Again, lower is better! Your basic is 10, and you have an added bonus for frontal attacks since you see them coming; for example, Chain Mail has AC 5. Comboned with a shield (-1 AC, making the new AC AC 4) A foe with a Thaco of 20 needs a 16+ on a D20 to hit
The Dice: D4: 4 Sided dice D6: 6 sided dice, etc... it's important to know all this since weapon damage is often things like D6+2 (3-8) or 2D4 (2-8) and there's never a fixed damage.
3. Player Killing
To quote the man who got me hooked on these games, "I don't kill players, stupid players kill players. Keep stupidity and grudges out of the game." What does this mean? As GM, I will no doubt put you in potentially difficult situations, but you should be able to handle it. If your character dies off, it's due to the players. Example: A Warrior is done fighting something, and turns to see thier healer about to be killed. However, due to the warrior being mad at the healer for reasons outside the game, he doesn't help. I will take this very seriously and possibly boot these players out of the game if problems continue.
4. Inactivity
I'm a grade 12 student, I know from experience that you won't always have free time. Therefore, we shall set tentative game dates and "if you can't make it, no biggie." However, if just one or two people from a decent sized group (say 6 or more) don't show up, the GM will treat their characters as NPCs (non player characters; basically, the GM will play their characters for them) for that gaming session and the game will continue as always. a chat log will be saved and made available to anyone who missed a game. If the GM is unable to show up, sadly, this means no game at all.
However, if you never make it, ever, you will be contacted via email or PM, and if you still don't show up, I may remove you from the campaign.
5. Other:
Create a backstory! Where is your character from, what was their life like? Play the part! If your character was originally part of a church of some sort, for example, don't make them swearing at everyone! (Trades/ working/ slave/ middle to upper class accpeted. Royalty, nobility, are restricted to an extent. I could roll for your social class for you, and that's the only way to get royalty, to be fair. Enough said.) Share the story with the GM; for all you know, your party might wind up in your hometown one day!
Be prepared! Don't expect everyone else to have supplies and mooch off them; they may do the same thing! Rope is always useful, hint hint!
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me. I'll answer you as best I can.