Realms of Black Lake - How we play

((These are medieval times, times of oxen and cart, not "YO TAXI!"remember that!))

shield

Realms Home
Rules of Conduct
Realms F.A.Q.
Bio Template
Realms Map
Realms Weather
Points of Interest
Magical Arts
Advancement
Realms Guilds
Money Values
Realms NPCs
Realms Forum
Realms Chat
RPGlossary

Play by post!
or
Play by chat!
or
Play by both!

Why?

WHY NOT?!

We have both!

free games

**You must be at least 16 years old to play here.**

Most of what you'll find here is free form role play, which includes play by post or chat, or even collaborative writing storylines. However, in the case of play by post storylines, or sometime play by chat sessions, if a player does something really idiotic and unbelievable, or if we receive complaints of god modding and similar actions, a GM may get involved to deal with problems and try to keep things fun. Otherwise, as long as players stay within the time frame and general environment, they're pretty much left to run with things. We do ask you to use a little common sense. A 6 inch pixie picking up a fully-grown cow, and throwing it a mile to knock down a giant ogre nobody else can see, is just ridiculous. Most people not suffering from brain damage understand this sort of thing. Have fun, bring your imagination, but try to keep things believable. Also remember that aliens from other planets, and anything tech or futuristic, need to go somewhere else. This is a medieval roleplaying environment.

Dice Usage Here:
Combat in GM threads is different here too. Players don't use dice, but the GMs may, but not in the usual ways. Here, GMs use them to figure out if there is going to be an attack, and if so, by what and how many. It's up to the players to figure out how to handle whatever is thrown at them. If you're one of those can't be hurt, never take a wrong step, perfect, god-like-know-everything types, please go elsewhere. Our players are looking for people who want to have fun, and sometimes having fun means not being all powerful and perfect, or incredibly sexy.

GM dice rolls also decide if treasure is nearby. If a player has gained a special ability, and some other things. The GM rolls, and the charts and lists they have, give them key pieces of the scenario. They just need to fill in the dressing.

Examples of dicing:
You're entering a combat situation. This is how things might flow.

1. The GM has thrown an enemy or monster at you.
2. Carefully think about and decide how you're going to deal with the situation you find yourself in, and then,...do it. If you're part of a group, you may want to talk things over with the other party members via PM.

Things to remember:
1. If you're part of a group, don't be a kill hog. Remember, you're part of a group. Be nice and share.
2. Never use, move, etc. another person's character without getting their permission, even if they're in danger.
3. Don't try to be everybody's savior. If someone wants saved, they'll usually let you know.
4. Don't try to be helpless all the time. Nobody likes having to constantly save someone. You have to be able to stand on your own sometimes.
5. Don't be a show boat. Nobody likes a 'I know everything! I can figure anything and everything out! I can do anything and everything! I can kill anything and everything! I can save everyone!' type. It's okay to step up, when the situation calls for it, but just be careful you don't step on your fellow players, or their toes. You don't have to be the center of attention to have a good time. Being part of the group can be great too.
6. If you want to be taken as a serious gamer, it's a bad idea to play yourself as a slut, someone looking to get cyber-laid most of the time. You'll find most serious gamers will either ignore you, or just outright tell you to get lost.
7. Try writing in the past tense and third person. It reads better. Remember, there is no 'I' in team. Even if you're adventuring alone, past tense third person tends to read better.

Present tense first person...

I eat my supper. I pet my dog. I go to bed. I'm tired.

Dull, boring, and bad!

Past tense third person...

Norvan sat petting his dog and eating his supper, then he went to bed for some rest.

Better. Remember you're playing a game, but you're also writing a story with the other players. It looks really bad when you're the only one writing in first person present tense, and everyone else is writing in past tense third person. You're writing will stand out all right, usually as out of place, awkward, and bad.

The GMs also use dice for finding treasure. Here is an example.

1. A locked box is found under the table.
2. The player attempts to pick the lock.
3. The GM rolls to see if they picked the lock, and if they picked it, if there is anything in the box.
4. The player responds to the success or failure post.

Simply put, it's all up for grabs. Think about it. Would you rather play somewhere everything has already been decided before you even start, or would you rather play somewhere chance happenings and situations are still a possibility? If you like surprises, fun, and unpredictable situations designed to stir your creative side, and something like this sounds to your liking, come on in and join us! We look forward to swinging a sword, casting a spell, or traveling and exploring the roads, trails, dungeons, ruins, and tunnels with you!

shield