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Miniatures Adventure => Call of Cthulhu => Topic started by: gauntman on May 04, 2011, 02:03:55 AM

Title: Looking for Players for Pbem, 1927 Call of Cthulhu
Post by: gauntman on May 04, 2011, 02:03:55 AM
Not-miniature related but I'm running another Play by email Call of Cthulhu and thought I'd mention it to my like-minded friends here.  No rule experiece required, all will be provided. Last year we did the Masks of Nyalarthotep by email. 

Looking for Players for Pbem 1927 Call of Cthulhu
I am looking for players for a new COC Play by email scenario set in 1927.
If you are interested send me an email

parsonm2@gmail.com

Must be committed to posting twice a week,
Title: Re: Looking for Players for Pbem, 1927 Call of Cthulhu
Post by: Mo! on May 04, 2011, 06:09:41 PM
Wow  sounds really fun... We just had our 3th baby so i dont have much time... how much time is required do you think cause i'd love to join...
Title: Re: Looking for Players for Pbem, 1927 Call of Cthulhu
Post by: isaanmini on July 19, 2011, 01:40:33 AM
Hi
I would be very interested to take part in your game
I havnt played a lot of rpg's because they never felt right.
I think that being solo would allow the imagination to work a lot better and might give the feel that I imagine a Cthulhu game should have
Please include me if you have space in your game
I would also be interested in one to one game, if you have the inclination to be the keeper.
The loan character slowly learning and researching while unwittingly losing his sanity,I think such a game could have a real Cthulhu feel

you can email me at
barrycarter70@hotmail.com
regards
Barry
Title: Re: Looking for Players for Pbem, 1927 Call of Cthulhu
Post by: Relic on July 19, 2011, 05:40:47 AM
Hi,

If this still is valid ad I would like to join the game also
Title: Re: Looking for Players for Pbem, 1927 Call of Cthulhu
Post by: isaanmini on July 27, 2011, 09:54:53 AM
Have you been taken by the fishpeople?
still very interested
Barry
Title: Re: Looking for Players for Pbem, 1927 Call of Cthulhu
Post by: abhorsen950 on July 28, 2011, 08:45:07 PM
I'd love to. I have sixth edition laying around upstairs but I've never gamed with it therefore I fear I would slow down your game etc. It is entirely your call. It would be a pleasure to game but I understand if not. Just PM me or something.

With regards,
Steve
Title: Re: Looking for Players for Pbem, 1927 Call of Cthulhu
Post by: MrHarold on July 29, 2011, 05:49:27 AM
Also interested... have you started yet?
Title: Re: Looking for Players for Pbem, 1927 Call of Cthulhu
Post by: Etranger on July 29, 2011, 06:10:14 AM
Hi Matt,

up for it if you want repeat offenders!
Title: Re: Looking for Players for Pbem, 1927 Call of Cthulhu
Post by: isaanmini on July 29, 2011, 07:55:40 AM
Gentlemen
It looks like Gauntman is indisposed......maybe we should set up a party to investigate his untimely disapearance.....
Where was he last seen?
Who did he last correspond with?
I know that he had a passion for hunting down zombies, but surely something so trivial cannot have brought down this adventurer......
No, surely something of a much more evil nature has taken him........
But what?




Title: Re: Looking for Players for Pbem, 1927 Call of Cthulhu
Post by: Relic on July 29, 2011, 08:02:49 AM
Indeed.... something must have gone horribly wrong. First we should find out where to start looking..
Title: Re: Looking for Players for Pbem, 1927 Call of Cthulhu
Post by: isaanmini on July 29, 2011, 08:31:34 AM
Gentlemen,I believe the game is afoot.
Title: Re: Looking for Players for Pbem, 1927 Call of Cthulhu
Post by: Peter@BattleScape on July 29, 2011, 02:06:21 PM
If this is still happening and you have the room I have a great collection of antique shotguns!!! Count me in....

Pete
Title: Re: Looking for Players for Pbem, 1927 Call of Cthulhu
Post by: isaanmini on July 29, 2011, 02:34:50 PM
My dear chap

Our first problem is to find out just what has happened to poor old Gauntman.
For all we know he may now be part of the internal workings of a Shoggoth.
Until we can find out the(no doubt sinister) facts behind his absence,I am affraid there is little for us to do but await news
Respectfully yours

etc etc
Title: Re: Looking for Players for Pbem, 1927 Call of Cthulhu
Post by: bc99 on July 29, 2011, 05:55:35 PM
My good man,

What, pray tell, is a Shoggoth? Where do you get such ideas?

Hrmm, that's a strange book you're holding, the Necri... Necro... how exactly DO you pronounce that?
Title: Re: Looking for Players for Pbem, 1927 Call of Cthulhu
Post by: isaanmini on July 29, 2011, 08:50:14 PM
Gentlemen
In all seriousness, I think we have the begining of a game here
May I ask you to consider your characters..........
Their age, name,
Background
Experience etc....This does not have to be strictly in terms of the Cthulhu rules set.
More of an informal introduction,but please make it as thorough as possible......and PLEASE ,can we keep it in the character and style which would make an interesting read for other people who read the thread

Maybe the moderator etc, will want us to take it off the general board?????????

Anyway...for myself

I am Mr Barrington Bertrum Carter-Smythe.( known to my friends as Barty)

In 1927 I have reached the ripe old age of 77 (A little old for an adventurer you may imagine, but this is because I want to use the same character for some VSF around 1880 )

I am fit as a fiddle, if not quite in the running, jumping and fighting trim I used to be.

I have spent many years now studying various artifacts, books and papers that have come into my possesion as a collector for various museums around the world
I have recently discovered that I am the only surviving member of the American side of my family and I will shortly be crossing the Atlantic to take up my inheritance (including,apparently a rather large and stately home in Massachusets)
As the gentleman we are searching for seems to have dissapeared in the United States, this seems to have come at a fortuitous time

I suggest we limit this game to those gentlemen who have allready answered the thread, but perhaps others who find it interesting would like to take the part of non player character.

We can just see how things proceed
I look forward to hearing from you gentlemen

Your humble servant

Carter-Smythe

 
Title: Re: Looking for Players for Pbem, 1927 Call of Cthulhu
Post by: bc99 on July 30, 2011, 08:57:38 AM
Dear Mr. Carter-Smythe,

I hope this letter finds you in good health. My name is Jeremiah Buff. Do you recall the last time we met? It was 1913, during your last trip to the states. You were visiting family and I had the pleasure of meeting you at a luncheon held in your honor. As my father was fast friends with your uncle, God rest his soul, I spent many summer days at your estate in Massachusetts. Although I was only 17 years old when you visited I remember fondly the stories you told of your adventures. Perhaps you remember me?

In any case, I heard of your uncle's passing and learned that you were bound for the states to take possession of your inheritance. I wanted to offer you a greeting and support in your time of need.

I myself have also just recently returned to the states. In 1917, I took a break from my studies to join the army to serve in the great war. Upon return from that dreadful ordeal I had a change of heart and a renewed interest in my faith. I finished my studies at Holy Cross University and graduated with degrees in religion and history. After graduation I pondered the path my life would take, and entered the Seminary in 1920. I was ordained a deacon in '25, and traveled to South America to serve God's will.

After events that I will not put on this paper, I returned to Massachusetts to convalesce. I recently learned from the Archdiocese in Boston that I am to be ordained a priest soon! The trials and suffering one endures while serving the Lord test us each day. The horrors of battle are nothing compared to the darkness that walks the earth each and every day, Mr. Carter-Smythe. But I digress, I do not wish to cloud your thoughts at this trying time.

Take care, and I eagerly await your return to the states,

I leave you with this passage from the Psalms, You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

Your servant and His

Reverend Jeremiah Buff

Title: Re: Looking for Players for Pbem, 1927 Call of Cthulhu
Post by: isaanmini on July 30, 2011, 12:19:42 PM
My Dear Reverend Buff.
I am most gratefull for your letter and I very much look forward to renewing our aquaintance when I arrive in the States.
I must be very honest with you and say that my memory is not what it was.I do recall the luncheon,but as you can imagine,I was rather pressed for time during my visit and had many people to see with regard to some very rare antiques and particularly about a copy of a certain book that I had heard might be made available to me.As it transpired the book was not what I had expected and the dealer who offered it to me was what you Americans call, I believe, a crooked huxter.
Please forgive the brief reply, but I am sure you will understand that I have a great number of arrangements to make regarding the passage.Before I close however,I must ask you for your assistance.The Lawyers tell me that the circumstances of my uncles death are not entirely clear, only that he had some kind of heart failure

They tell me that in his last years, my uncle had opened part of the house as some kind of hospital,in order to assist with his failing financial affairs.When I pressed them, they would say only that there was some kind of social scandal as a result and that my uncle was shunned by many that new him.Are you aware of any of the circumstances surrounding these events.

News of our friend Gauntman is also unforthcoming.I have tried to contact him once again ,without success

 Regards

Carter-Smythe
Title: Re: Looking for Players for Pbem, 1927 Call of Cthulhu
Post by: abhorsen950 on July 30, 2011, 02:54:14 PM
So are we just going to like, play without rules? And just see if we can pull off a killer story?! Either way, I'm in so here goes.

Dear Mr. Carter-Smythe,

My name is William Sparrow. I am 16 years of age. I am a drifter of sorts living in America. My recent occupation has been as a journalists assistant. This led me to discover cuttings on you gaining the inheritance that is the family estate. I also believe that nobody is employed on this estate at the current time. This opinion was concluded after a weeks research on the matter. I would like to be able to take up this position as your assistant. A general handy man so to speak. I have experience in many areas due to working from a young age to support my family. Either way, I would like to become involved. I am eager and hard working.

I look forward to hearing from you as this job is not for me. I eagerly wish to move on.

Yours Sincerely,

William Sparrow.

(Hopefully this is okay, going to be following this closely.)
 
Title: Re: Looking for Players for Pbem, 1927 Call of Cthulhu
Post by: isaanmini on July 30, 2011, 03:49:28 PM
 Dear Mr Sparrow
Thankyou for your interest in a position as a general assistant.
I am sure there will be much to do around the estate and I am also sure that your experience in Journalism will come in most usefull.
If you care to make your way to Massachusets ( I really must check the spelling of that,if I am going to be resident there) I will ask my friend the Reverend Buff to help you with temporary accomodation, until we can find somewhere for you on the estate
Regards
Mr.Carter-Smythe
Title: Re: Looking for Players for Pbem, 1927 Call of Cthulhu
Post by: Etranger on August 01, 2011, 05:11:02 AM
G'day Carty! Les Flynn is the name, "Croca" to my mates, those that are still around!

Are you related to that Pommy bugger Hubert Carter-Smythe, or "Hughie" as we knew him in Mespot back in the war? Bad business that, he came to a very sticky end in most unusual circumstances. There were some very rum doings in that benighted land, I can tell you!

I've had a bit of experience in tracking and hunting down those that don't want to be found, mostly taught to me by the "black fellas" back home. I've been in a few tight spots over the years and can handle myself pretty well in a tight spot. I've seen some funny things along the way, things you won't find in your average Encyclopaedia Britannica. Those old abos know a bit about the time before time, if you get my drift.

Anyway, I'll out of a job soon as the old fella that hired me has got a whole mob of kangaroos loose in his top paddock and has been been committed to Broadmoor Asylum. Soon as I've tidied round his rooms I'll be available for a jaunt to the US of A. I've not been there for a while.

Yours,

Leslie Flynn.




Title: Re: Looking for Players for Pbem, 1927 Call of Cthulhu
Post by: bc99 on August 01, 2011, 02:27:34 PM
Dear Mr. Carter-Smythe,

I received your telegram regarding young Mr. Sparrow. My father still has a key to the front gates of your uncle's (now yours!) property. I have set Mr. Sparrow to cleaning up the outside of the residence and have put him up in what must have been a gardener's cottage at the rear of the property. He seems to be an affable young man, of sound moral standing. He also appears to be a hard worker and has tackled the chores! As I do not have a set of keys to the residence, I will await your return before setting him to clean the house. Young Mr. Sparrow has much to do as the grounds have become quite overrun!

Regarding your inquiries about the scandal and hospital, I have looked into these and would rather discuss them face to face. I can say that it appears your uncle started taking in those who suffered from "shell shock" as it where. I saw this myself during the Great War. After initially accepting invalided soldiers it appears your uncle began taking on other, shall we say, residents. Including those from the far east, and certain injured sailors from around Insmouth way.

I have been called to Boston where I shall be for the five days or so. I will try to get back to meet you for your arrival, but if I miss that, please know I shall be along any day after.

Yours,

Deacon Buff
Title: Re: Looking for KEEPER for Pbem group, 1927 Call of Cthulhu
Post by: isaanmini on August 03, 2011, 04:52:52 AM
Hello guys
It looks like we have no chance of Gauntman running our game and while I would like to ,I have no experience and little time to do it myself ........
If anyone wishes to maintain the contact and discuss Cthulhu gaming then please feel free.Unfortunately it doesnt look like this is going to end up as a structured game unless we can find an experienced keeper, prepared to run it for us.

Regards

Barry
Title: Re: Looking for Players for Pbem, 1927 Call of Cthulhu
Post by: Etranger on August 06, 2011, 08:38:33 AM
Guys,

I do have a plotline that I'm in the process of putting together, which we could do as a Freestyle CoC type PBEM game. I've not run a PBEM game as a keeper but have played in several now, including Gauntmans last (masterful!) effort. Remember, in CoC victory is escaping with your sanity intact!

I'd suggest running the games through email, rather than directly through LA, although we could put up summaries.

Carter-Smythe, Rev. Buff, Mr Sparrow. Anyone else?
Title: Re: Looking for Players for Pbem, 1927 Call of Cthulhu
Post by: Peter@BattleScape on August 06, 2011, 11:20:58 AM
I'm in...I will have my introduction letter posted by tomorrow...meant to do it a few days ago but life got in the way. I don't know my way around this stuff to well but I say bash on and just have some fun.

Pete


Title: Re: Looking for Players for Pbem, 1927 Call of Cthulhu
Post by: isaanmini on August 07, 2011, 07:57:46 AM
Yes,I am very interested in trying to get this thing off the ground.
I do not have the rules and hav'nt played the game before,but as I cant seem to find a group locally and also do shiftwork, pbem is the best option.

I recently arrived at my new home in Massachussetts (at least my character did) to find it in a very poor state.
It seems thet there was some kind of fire in the Sanitorium wing which has not been repaired.
All the furnishings and many of the fixtures have been sold to pay my families debts (Including the entire contents of my uncles somewhat well known library, which I understand was handed over in its entirity,to a dealer in nearby Innsmouth)
I shall be visiting this gentleman shortly to recover the books.I understand that the collection is rather valuable ,so this may cost a large sum of money, but it is a most valuable and interesting collection.
Shortly after I arrived,I decided to walk the grounds ,to see just what I had inherited.
I took the path to the small stretch of coast that is the border of the property.I ventured as far along the rather rickety,wooden jetty as I dared and then took another route back to the house, passing by, but not dwelling upon the family graveyard.This was a very intimidating place, particularly when visited alone,as I was and with darkness falling ,as it was begining to.


There was no sign of young Will, perhaps he has found employment elsewhere.

Feel free to contact me by email
Regards
Barry
barrycarter70@hotmail.com
Title: Re: Looking for Players for Pbem, 1927 Call of Cthulhu
Post by: bc99 on August 07, 2011, 08:40:22 AM
I'm in, contact me by PM or email if it's attached.

Ciao.
Title: Re: Looking for Players for Pbem, 1927 Call of Cthulhu
Post by: Etranger on August 07, 2011, 12:39:34 PM
Gentlemen, theres a stripped down version of CoC here for free download. http://www.chaosium.com/article.php?story_id=87

We'll be playing in the spirit of the rules rather than necessarily rolling every dice called for though!

I'll PM interested parties in a couple of days.
Title: Re: Looking for Players for Pbem, 1927 Call of Cthulhu
Post by: Peter@BattleScape on August 07, 2011, 12:44:25 PM
Thanks...just saved it and will read it up. Spirit sounds good to me...I am all about the journey and the fun.

Pete

Title: Re: Looking for Players for Pbem, 1927 Call of Cthulhu
Post by: abhorsen950 on August 07, 2011, 12:55:12 PM
Seriously guys, we should just go for the freestyle mode. It'll work tones better if nobody is keen on taking up Keeper. It would be easier to do the hole freestyle thing on Email as well, the game would flow more and would be more story orientated.

Keep me posted!
Steve
Title: Re: Looking for Players for Pbem, 1927 Call of Cthulhu
Post by: isaanmini on August 07, 2011, 05:35:56 PM
Thanks for the rules......I am not sure if I have downloaded the file or just opened it .....anyway,I can read them so thats fine

Steve, I think we should bow to the others experience and do it their way, I am sure it will be a very enjoyable game, especially if we all enter into the spirit of it and dont look for errors.

If the keeper wings it sometimes ,thats fine by me.

Look forward to the game..........If someone can gather all the email addresses and create a group email that might be best

Regards

Barry
Title: Re: Looking for Players for Pbem, 1927 Call of Cthulhu
Post by: abhorsen950 on August 07, 2011, 05:52:21 PM
My fault, not read the thread properly! Missed out the links for the free COC apologies all! I look forward to gaming with you all!

Count me in fellas! I really want to get into Roleplaying more it means a lot to me you guys coming together for a game. The pleasure is mine guys, I'm in!

Steve
Title: Re: Looking for Players for Pbem, 1927 Call of Cthulhu
Post by: Etranger on August 08, 2011, 06:04:26 AM
Steve - there will be a fair bit of freestyling in this, A PBEM needs to be so. I won't be emailing you every time I need dice thrown!
Title: Re: Looking for Players for Pbem, 1927 Call of Cthulhu
Post by: abhorsen950 on August 08, 2011, 09:42:11 AM
Ahaha no worries! I look forward to gaming!
Title: Re: Looking for Players for Pbem, 1927 Call of Cthulhu
Post by: Relic on August 08, 2011, 04:13:28 PM
if there's room I'm in
Title: Re: Looking for Players for Pbem, 1927 Call of Cthulhu
Post by: Etranger on August 09, 2011, 02:56:15 AM
OK, so at th moment we have:

Barry (isanmini), email and character - Sir Barrington Bertrum Carter-Smythe.
bc99 character - Rev Jeremniah Buff
steve (abhorsen950)  Character - William Sparrow
Pete, email and character - Col Angus McTavish
Relic.

Have I missed anyone?

Thats 5. Probably space for 1 more if anyone is interested? I hope to have characters translated into CoC terms & the initial briefing finished by Friday. Guys, if you haven't PM'd me a valid email addy please do so as it is much easier by email! I'll PM everyone once I'm ready to go.

Relic, do you want to think up a background or I can do so - Flynn is going to be a NPC otherwise.

Title: Re: Looking for Players for Pbem, 1927 Call of Cthulhu
Post by: Sheerluck Holmes on August 09, 2011, 03:17:09 AM
How dedicated is one needed to be for the game? A reply every day or fewer?

 If it isn't every day I would be interested in joining in.
Title: Re: Looking for Players for Pbem, 1927 Call of Cthulhu
Post by: Etranger on August 09, 2011, 03:23:57 AM
PM sent.

I reckon on 1 -2 per week, depending upon speeds of response and how much work you're making me do!
Title: Re: Looking for Players for Pbem, 1927 Call of Cthulhu
Post by: Etranger on August 09, 2011, 07:34:08 AM
OK, so at th moment we have:

Barry (isanmini), email and character - Sir Barrington Bertrum Carter-Smythe.
bc99 character - Rev Jeremniah Buff
steve (abhorsen950)  Character - William Sparrow
Pete, email and character - Col Angus McTavish
Relic.

Have I missed anyone?

Thats 5. Probably space for 1 more if anyone is interested? I hope to have characters translated into CoC terms & the initial briefing finished by Friday. Guys, if you haven't PM'd me a valid email addy please do so as it is much easier by email! I'll PM everyone once I'm ready to go.

Relic, do you want to think up a background or I can do so - Flynn is going to be a NPC otherwise.



Six with Sheerluck. Anyone else will have to be a reserve!
Title: Re: Looking for Players for Pbem, 1927 Call of Cthulhu
Post by: Peter@BattleScape on August 09, 2011, 07:48:00 AM
Done then!!!

Pete
Title: Re: Looking for Players for Pbem, 1927 Call of Cthulhu
Post by: isaanmini on August 09, 2011, 08:04:07 AM
My dear chap, that is excellent news
As soon as young Sparrow gets back to Kingsbury (I have renamed the house,hoping to bring some better fortune) I shall finish the task of sorting the place out and then will be ready to continue my career and rebuilding the family fortune by collecting antiquities and such

Yours

Carter-Smythe
Title: Re: Looking for Players for Pbem, 1927 Call of Cthulhu
Post by: Peter@BattleScape on August 09, 2011, 09:38:39 AM
Barty you old crumpet lover....did you get my letter??? I will be at Kingsbury by the end of the week. I have a few manuscripts that I would like your opinion on. Also you should be receiving the letters that you Uncle sent to my Sire. Perhaps they will help you to understand what was going on.
When you find young Sparrow give him a good lashing, make the little pup remember that once you start a job you see it through.

A

Title: Re: Looking for Players for Pbem, 1927 Call of Cthulhu
Post by: abhorsen950 on August 09, 2011, 11:06:25 AM
Dear Carter-Smythe

I have set off on my journey, the destination is your manor house. This letter should arrive a day before I do and I can begin work in your house.

I look forward to seeing you and I thank you for this opportunity.

With regards,

William Sparrow
Title: Re: Looking for Players for Pbem, 1927 Call of Cthulhu
Post by: Sheerluck Holmes on August 10, 2011, 01:18:20 AM
The rain knocking at my window didn't make me any happier. I would rather have clients knocking at my door to hire my services.

 Things were quite in this part of town and business was slow. So slow that I wondered if the town was in hibernation.  If I didn't get a case soon I would have to let the Doll that answered my phone go.

 I poured myself another scotch, put my feet up on my desk and lit yet another cigarette. I knew it was bad for me, but so was not working. If a client didn't come walking through my door soon I would have to start kidnapping peoples' pets so that I could find them to claim the reward money.

 Yep, things were slow at office of Patrick Flanagan - Private Detective
Title: Re: Looking for Players for Pbem, 1927 Call of Cthulhu
Post by: Etranger on August 10, 2011, 07:17:41 AM
A quick update

So now we are 6:

Barry (isanmini), email and character - Sir Barrington Bertrum Carter-Smythe.
Noah (?) bc99 email and character - Rev Jeremniah Buff
steve (abhorsen950)  email and character - William Sparrow
Pete, email and character - Col Angus McTavish
Relic.
Ian Sheerluck, email and character - Patrick Flanagan

Character writeups and the introduction are well advanced. I hope to get them out by Friday night. Relic, can you PM me an email & a character name if you're still interested :-X

I assume no one has any objections if I give the others in the game your email addresses. They won't go any further, unless Chthulhu hacks the system!

Title: Re: Looking for Players for Pbem, 1927 Call of Cthulhu
Post by: Sheerluck Holmes on August 10, 2011, 09:08:45 AM
No problem re the email from me  :)
Title: Re: Looking for Players for Pbem, 1927 Call of Cthulhu
Post by: Peter@BattleScape on August 10, 2011, 11:47:56 AM
Disseminate as needed old boy
The Colonel

Title: Re: Looking for Players for Pbem, 1927 Call of Cthulhu
Post by: Etranger on August 12, 2011, 08:34:35 AM
Hi all,

The first posts should be hitting your email boxes around now. Have a read of them and I'll sentthe next batch in a couple of days. Let me know if nothing has arrived and I'll resend.

Cheers, ET
Title: Re: Looking for Players for Pbem, 1927 Call of Cthulhu
Post by: bc99 on August 14, 2011, 09:54:29 AM
Good stuff, I got the e-mails. Looking forward to this.

On a side note, as a birthday gift to myself, I bought the 30th anniversary edition of CoC...

woo hooo!
Title: Re: Looking for Players for Pbem, 1927 Call of Cthulhu
Post by: isaanmini on August 14, 2011, 10:59:14 AM
Excellent work so far.
I was uncomfortable with the old Parhoonian.Your handling of the dear old fart and his dreams is an excellent example of clever and sensitive keeping/keepering? lol
I look forward to the next emails dropping through the aether.
By the way,I was reading an old family diary the other day and came accross an entry about an uncle Randolph, who seems to have had some odd ideas about slipping these earthly bonds, whatever that means.
Barty
Title: Re: Looking for Players for Pbem, 1927 Call of Cthulhu
Post by: Etranger on August 15, 2011, 01:21:57 AM
That would be 'Dreamlands'...........

Slight holdup folks. I've had the manflu all weekend so stats won't be finished for 1-2 days. In the meantime I'll be posting some more reading for you.  >:D
Title: Re: Looking for Players for Pbem, 1927 Call of Cthulhu
Post by: Etranger on August 19, 2011, 07:48:55 AM
Post 3 has gone out this evening. Let me know if you don't receive it.
Title: Re: Looking for Players for Pbem, 1927 Call of Cthulhu
Post by: Etranger on August 22, 2011, 08:38:01 AM
Updated character sheets should be in your email inboxes!
Title: Re: Looking for Players for Pbem, 1927 Call of Cthulhu
Post by: Doug ex-em4 on September 15, 2011, 02:40:56 PM
I'm planning an email rpg/skirmish game for 2 or 3 players and I wonder if you'd care to give an insight into how you are handling the mechanics of this game...?

I've done a competitive game via email with players struggling against each other but the one I'm planning now is a cooperative one. Do you get your players to decide on their actions between themselves by email and then notifying you as a group or do they all tell you their intentions directly? Or a mixture?


Doug
Title: Re: Looking for Players for Pbem, 1927 Call of Cthulhu
Post by: Etranger on September 16, 2011, 07:20:09 AM
I'm planning an email rpg/skirmish game for 2 or 3 players and I wonder if you'd care to give an insight into how you are handling the mechanics of this game...?

I've done a competitive game via email with players struggling against each other but the one I'm planning now is a cooperative one. Do you get your players to decide on their actions between themselves by email and then notifying you as a group or do they all tell you their intentions directly? Or a mixture?


Doug

I'll try. For me, cooperative PBEM games are like writing a book with multiple authors, with everyone making a contribution. I act as the principal author and editor, with the others submitting their actions and dialogue appropriate to their character in response to the situation. I start by developing each players character, in conjunction with the player, so that they have 'ownership' of that character, their background and personality. Then I develop the Introduction, send it off and await responses.

Once there is an agreed action (or more likely a series of events) then I'll release the next 'Game Post', summarising what has actually happened since the last game post. If the players have split up into 2 or more groups, as is currently the case, then each group will follow a different plot line until they can meet up again in the game and compare experiences. Obviously this works best if the players only post via me so that I can limit the story arc to those characters in that arc & the others proceed along independently. That's not an issue if the players remain in 1 group though.

Otherwise I'm happy for the players to discuss thngs between themselves but the 'official' storyline stems from what they feed back to me. I prefer individual players to interact with me as well as with each other, as I can get a feel for what they're thinking. I can then write an 'agreed narrative' which is the final story. That also allows me to handle interactions with NPCs, outside events, add in clues and red herrings and either keep the player on track, or if necessary go right off the track!  >:D Also if players miss a post or two then I can handle their character as a NPC.

Depending upon what is happening in the story the elapsed game time between Game Posts could be a few seconds (if there's a fight) or a week or more (research in a library). I try to put out GPs frequently, although that also depends both upon the real world and just how much work I need to put into each GP. Currently there are 4 story arcs so there's a lot for me to do!

Hope that helps. I make a lot of this up as I go along!


Chaps - post 6 belatedly went out today. Should be in your inboxes.
Title: Re: Looking for Players for Pbem, 1927 Call of Cthulhu
Post by: Doug ex-em4 on September 16, 2011, 02:10:45 PM
Etranger

Thanks for that; I have a similar attitude to this to you and your summary is very interesting.

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I make a lot of this up as I go along!
That sounds like excellent advice... :)


Doug