Hello! I am a forever-DM who has been playing for about 5 years. I've never tried PbP but wanted to give it a test run. Was hoping to find someone who would be willing to run a short (1-2 week) trial run, just to see what it's like. Especially if you want to try out DMing for a PbP campaign but don't want the investment!
I'm most comfortable with Discord but happy to play it here as well. Happy to do solo but would love to see another 1-3 players join. I'm hoping this can be a casual trial of PbP campaigns using D&D rules. I'll make my character using D&D Beyond. If this is something you'd be interested in playing in, or willing to DM, please let me know!
i've been playing PBP games for decades. Except for the few games that are near real time, 1 to 2 weeks is a very short time for a PBP game, not even enough for the first combat.
Though discord based PBP tend to go faster that those based on chatboards, often going as fast as near reel time when many are online at the same time.
But I have plenty of characters left over from PBP games that didn't last long, so I'm willing to join.
Okay, cool, thanks for the info! What timeline would you recommend for a trial run for a PbP campaign? The equivalent of a one-shot for traditional play, just to get the feel.
There is WIDE variation in how fast a PBP game goes.
One round of combat a day is a good clip for this slow format game. And that depends on players being available when it's their turn (or taking turns in any order).
Different games have different ways to handle players that are slow to respond, and what slow is.
The fastest tried to time combats when most were online, with designated player to take over characters for players not online.
Next would be games where players post their turns in any order, possibly with contingent actions since the situation can change from other plaeyrs actions, then once a day, the DM figures out what what happened, takes the turns for the monsters, and posts an updated situation.
Next would be games where there is a time limit to respond, commonly one day. If you don't respond in the time limit, your turn is skipped, you can take it later when you are available.
Slowest would be the games that wait however long it takes for players to respond.
I've been playing PbPs for a while now (a handful of years at least!)...
My experience has been - a new game is opening up and right in the intro, the GM asks players to post 'at least, once every <insert timeframe>'. Most times it is "post once every couple days. Sometimes it is twice a week.
BUT, what happens after the first couple weeks is.... LIFE HAPPENS... and those who posted religiously suddenly have 5 days between posts. Or more... due to work, travel, holidays, family chaos... the game screeches to a halt until the player sends an OOC update or drops out.
In a couple cases it was the GM that disappeared while the players waited almost a month for an update.
Right now, I am in one PbP and the last post was from the 24th of August. We are waiting on the GM to kick the can down the road. (( players NEED feedback ))
In a couple of PbPs I am currently in, I end up writing lengthy 'filler' pieces to make certain the PbP thread stays active and on the first 5-7 pages of the FORUMS. :p Can only sweep the tavern floor so many times!!!
But, yes, as @JSenecal stated, two weeks might be waaaaaaaaaaaay to short... unless you are specifying 'post at least every 24-36 hrs'...
However, I have been in some games... the intro is complex and lively... and everyone is chomping at the bit to get playing.. so for the first 24-48 hours, we dump posts at breakneck speed.... until we hit our first obstacle. (or DOOR).
I've been in a game where 75% of the players are in Europe, one in Asia and then me in the US of A. A lot can get posted while I am snoring away the wee hours... and if I don't post at the crack of dawn, the others have a LOOOOOOOOOOONG wait for my response post.
As stated by others, using DISCORD is closer to 'real time' table action... but I can not comment since my ISP is such trash I can't open a map, graphics and Discord at the same time without locking up my machine. Hence, why I am doing the PbP thing.
Hello! You may call me Gato (which means cat in Spanish)
I am a STAY
Common side effects include nervousness, insomnia, nausea, agitation, anxiety, sweating, vision problems, psychosis, numbness, dizziness, headaches, and weight loss
Everybody wanna hear the real version of life, then don't get so sensitive,When I say something a little bit raw
Okay, cool, thanks for the info! What timeline would you recommend for a trial run for a PbP campaign? The equivalent of a one-shot for traditional play, just to get the feel.
Unless you're just looking for a single encounter to try out the format, let's assume that the one-shot has 4 to 6 "significant" encounters. Assuming that the game maintains a steady pace of 1 post from each player (and the DM) every 36 hours, I think that you should expect your one-shot adventure to take 6 to 12 weeks to finish.
I've done a few PBP and they've varied in length from a few weeks to a full year. The other issue that @Kol_Drake has already mentioned is people dropping out. The last PBP that I finished started with 6 of us but finished with 3 and took best part of a year. Losing one or two players is survivable, losing the DM isnt 🤣
I'm more than happy to take part in this. Preferably as a player (forever DM here), but can throw together a short one-shot if needed.
Thanks for all the feedback, everyone! It sounds like a more realistic timeframe for a trial run would be about 8-12 weeks, aiming for 10. Vedar, GatoLover, and JSenecal are interested in playing, so I think we're just looking for a DM? Anybody on the Forums interested in running a trial run to teach some new players (or maybe themselves)?
Here, the roads end and the wild begin. Civilization clings to the stones of the Keep and a few hamlets. Beyond them lies only peril, promise, and the unknown.
I've done a few PBP and they've varied in length from a few weeks to a full year. The other issue that @Kol_Drake has already mentioned is people dropping out. The last PBP that I finished started with 6 of us but finished with 3 and took best part of a year. Losing one or two players is survivable, losing the DM isnt 🤣
I've actually seen a couple of games that survived the lose of the DM. One of the players takes over as DM. One of them is still going from 2011, though I'm the only player still active. If anyone is interested in a slow, but long running D&D 3.5 games, you'll be welcome to join.
I have several level 1 characters ready, but most use legacy races. So (half) Tiefling Paladin Mika,
Mika was raised by her human mother, a cleric in the temple of Erathis, goddess of civilization. She never knew her Tiefling father, who had disappeared before she was born. Mika was too hot blooded to be a calming cleric, so she instead channels her anger as a Paladin. Her primary goal is to expand the reach of civilization.
Hello! You may call me Gato (which means cat in Spanish)
I am a STAY
Common side effects include nervousness, insomnia, nausea, agitation, anxiety, sweating, vision problems, psychosis, numbness, dizziness, headaches, and weight loss
Everybody wanna hear the real version of life, then don't get so sensitive,When I say something a little bit raw
Mika is a character I play occasionally, originally from 4th edition (where Erathis was a standard god, in 5e she only shows in the 2014 dm guide under a sample pantheon). This was before Hero Forge, so the illustration was using 3d character software. It was the only character I ever used that software for. It cost too much, and took way to long. But came out well.
Myrith doesn't know who her parents were, she was found abandoned on the steps of a temple orphanage. She was trained as an acolyte, but was always a bit of a rebel and left as soon as she could. Since then she's seen a lot of life, some good, some bad. She's also been around long enough to know how to look after herself, is somewhat cynical and really doesn't care about your drama.
Hello! You may call me Gato (which means cat in Spanish)
I am a STAY
Common side effects include nervousness, insomnia, nausea, agitation, anxiety, sweating, vision problems, psychosis, numbness, dizziness, headaches, and weight loss
Everybody wanna hear the real version of life, then don't get so sensitive,When I say something a little bit raw
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Hello! I am a forever-DM who has been playing for about 5 years. I've never tried PbP but wanted to give it a test run. Was hoping to find someone who would be willing to run a short (1-2 week) trial run, just to see what it's like. Especially if you want to try out DMing for a PbP campaign but don't want the investment!
I'm most comfortable with Discord but happy to play it here as well. Happy to do solo but would love to see another 1-3 players join. I'm hoping this can be a casual trial of PbP campaigns using D&D rules. I'll make my character using D&D Beyond. If this is something you'd be interested in playing in, or willing to DM, please let me know!
i've been playing PBP games for decades. Except for the few games that are near real time, 1 to 2 weeks is a very short time for a PBP game, not even enough for the first combat.
Though discord based PBP tend to go faster that those based on chatboards, often going as fast as near reel time when many are online at the same time.
But I have plenty of characters left over from PBP games that didn't last long, so I'm willing to join.
Okay, cool, thanks for the info! What timeline would you recommend for a trial run for a PbP campaign? The equivalent of a one-shot for traditional play, just to get the feel.
There is WIDE variation in how fast a PBP game goes.
One round of combat a day is a good clip for this slow format game. And that depends on players being available when it's their turn (or taking turns in any order).
Different games have different ways to handle players that are slow to respond, and what slow is.
The fastest tried to time combats when most were online, with designated player to take over characters for players not online.
Next would be games where players post their turns in any order, possibly with contingent actions since the situation can change from other plaeyrs actions, then once a day, the DM figures out what what happened, takes the turns for the monsters, and posts an updated situation.
Next would be games where there is a time limit to respond, commonly one day. If you don't respond in the time limit, your turn is skipped, you can take it later when you are available.
Slowest would be the games that wait however long it takes for players to respond.
I've been playing PbPs for a while now (a handful of years at least!)...
My experience has been - a new game is opening up and right in the intro, the GM asks players to post 'at least, once every <insert timeframe>'. Most times it is "post once every couple days. Sometimes it is twice a week.
BUT, what happens after the first couple weeks is.... LIFE HAPPENS... and those who posted religiously suddenly have 5 days between posts. Or more... due to work, travel, holidays, family chaos... the game screeches to a halt until the player sends an OOC update or drops out.
In a couple cases it was the GM that disappeared while the players waited almost a month for an update.
Right now, I am in one PbP and the last post was from the 24th of August. We are waiting on the GM to kick the can down the road. (( players NEED feedback ))
In a couple of PbPs I am currently in, I end up writing lengthy 'filler' pieces to make certain the PbP thread stays active and on the first 5-7 pages of the FORUMS. :p Can only sweep the tavern floor so many times!!!
But, yes, as @JSenecal stated, two weeks might be waaaaaaaaaaaay to short... unless you are specifying 'post at least every 24-36 hrs'...
However, I have been in some games... the intro is complex and lively... and everyone is chomping at the bit to get playing.. so for the first 24-48 hours, we dump posts at breakneck speed.... until we hit our first obstacle. (or DOOR).
So... plenty to consider.
Oh... and one more consideration... TIMEZONES
I've been in a game where 75% of the players are in Europe, one in Asia and then me in the US of A. A lot can get posted while I am snoring away the wee hours... and if I don't post at the crack of dawn, the others have a LOOOOOOOOOOONG wait for my response post.
As stated by others, using DISCORD is closer to 'real time' table action... but I can not comment since my ISP is such trash I can't open a map, graphics and Discord at the same time without locking up my machine. Hence, why I am doing the PbP thing.
(one step up from Play By Snail Mail !!! )
Lol, I can join this if needed
Hello! You may call me Gato (which means cat in Spanish)
I am a STAY
Common side effects include nervousness, insomnia, nausea, agitation, anxiety, sweating, vision problems, psychosis, numbness, dizziness, headaches, and weight loss
Everybody wanna hear the real version of life, then don't get so sensitive, When I say something a little bit raw
Unless you're just looking for a single encounter to try out the format, let's assume that the one-shot has 4 to 6 "significant" encounters. Assuming that the game maintains a steady pace of 1 post from each player (and the DM) every 36 hours, I think that you should expect your one-shot adventure to take 6 to 12 weeks to finish.
I've done a few PBP and they've varied in length from a few weeks to a full year. The other issue that @Kol_Drake has already mentioned is people dropping out. The last PBP that I finished started with 6 of us but finished with 3 and took best part of a year. Losing one or two players is survivable, losing the DM isnt 🤣
I'm more than happy to take part in this. Preferably as a player (forever DM here), but can throw together a short one-shot if needed.
Alteria Bennutu - Orc Archfey Warlock
Nyli Bemblade - Gnome Arcane Trickster
Scarlett Rotkäppchen - Tiefling Vengeance Paladin
Thanks for all the feedback, everyone! It sounds like a more realistic timeframe for a trial run would be about 8-12 weeks, aiming for 10. Vedar, GatoLover, and JSenecal are interested in playing, so I think we're just looking for a DM? Anybody on the Forums interested in running a trial run to teach some new players (or maybe themselves)?
Sure, I can DM a 1 shot.
Borderlands Quest
Here, the roads end and the wild begin. Civilization clings to the stones of the Keep and a few hamlets. Beyond them lies only peril, promise, and the unknown.
D&D 2024 Ruleset
Level 1
Use Standard Array for Ability Scores.
Use Starting Equipment.
I've actually seen a couple of games that survived the lose of the DM. One of the players takes over as DM. One of them is still going from 2011, though I'm the only player still active. If anyone is interested in a slow, but long running D&D 3.5 games, you'll be welcome to join.
I have several level 1 characters ready, but most use legacy races. So (half) Tiefling Paladin Mika,
Mika was raised by her human mother, a cleric in the temple of Erathis, goddess of civilization. She never knew her Tiefling father, who had disappeared before she was born. Mika was too hot blooded to be a calming cleric, so she instead channels her anger as a Paladin. Her primary goal is to expand the reach of civilization.
Zifryal
https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/151917029
I'll write a backstory when i have the time
Hello! You may call me Gato (which means cat in Spanish)
I am a STAY
Common side effects include nervousness, insomnia, nausea, agitation, anxiety, sweating, vision problems, psychosis, numbness, dizziness, headaches, and weight loss
Everybody wanna hear the real version of life, then don't get so sensitive, When I say something a little bit raw
Mika is a character I play occasionally, originally from 4th edition (where Erathis was a standard god, in 5e she only shows in the 2014 dm guide under a sample pantheon). This was before Hero Forge, so the illustration was using 3d character software. It was the only character I ever used that software for. It cost too much, and took way to long. But came out well.
https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/151915016/RHxK8J
I'll go with Warlock. Character to follow shortly.
Quick question, where are people based, so we have a rough idea of posting times. I'm in the UK.
Alteria Bennutu - Orc Archfey Warlock
Nyli Bemblade - Gnome Arcane Trickster
Scarlett Rotkäppchen - Tiefling Vengeance Paladin
Myrith Duskwyn, Aasimar Warlock
Myrith doesn't know who her parents were, she was found abandoned on the steps of a temple orphanage. She was trained as an acolyte, but was always a bit of a rebel and left as soon as she could. Since then she's seen a lot of life, some good, some bad. She's also been around long enough to know how to look after herself, is somewhat cynical and really doesn't care about your drama.
Alteria Bennutu - Orc Archfey Warlock
Nyli Bemblade - Gnome Arcane Trickster
Scarlett Rotkäppchen - Tiefling Vengeance Paladin
@TheGatoLover
Please use starting equipment only.
I did, I messed up and added it twice
I'll try to fix it
Hello! You may call me Gato (which means cat in Spanish)
I am a STAY
Common side effects include nervousness, insomnia, nausea, agitation, anxiety, sweating, vision problems, psychosis, numbness, dizziness, headaches, and weight loss
Everybody wanna hear the real version of life, then don't get so sensitive, When I say something a little bit raw