|
Rules for Ba'alt... v. 0.3
- 1.0.0 Conduct
- 2.0.0
Posting
- .1.0 General Information
- .3.0 Body
- 3.0.0 Characters
- 4.0.0 Conflicts
- 5.0.0 Glossary of Terms
1.0.0 Conduct
In Ba'alt..., character conflict is expected... even encouraged
to some degree. Just as in real life, people will disagree with your
decisions and goals and will in turn resist you. However, player
conflict will hopefully be kept to a minimum, and will definitely be
kept off-list. The following will hopefully help to facilitate this.
1.1.0 On-List
Unless an OOC comment needs to be included in the archives for
posterity, or will affect a post to the list, address all OOC
comments in private e-mail. No flames or unasked for fluff (i.e. non
gaming material) will be tolerated. In the case of fluff, ask for
permission before posting anything.
1.2.0 Private Messaging
Private Messaging communication is required for all members in a
thread, i.e. you must coordinate your actions off list with your
partners. Do not dictate any other characters actions, facial
expressions, etc., unless it is an NPC.
2.0.0 Posting
In Ba'alt..., hopefully all players will want to follow all the
threads. But just in case this isn't so, certain posting guidelines
have been set to make it easy to tell what posts a player has to pay
particular attention to.
2.1.0 General Information
As we are creating a story together,
there are certain rules in the posting style that will be enforced
to ensure that the overall quality of the final product is something
that is readable and enjoyable.
2.1.1 Post
Make sure you respond to every move, even if it's a quick note
saying "I don't really have something to do so I'll just
drink at the bar and make small talk with the bartender." or
something. Ideally, you should be posting at least twice a week.
If you are unable to post for a time due to say, vacation, or
illness, send me an email letting me know. On the other hand, make
this the exception, and not the norm. Please try to be as detailed
in your posting as possible; though you may know exactly what is
going on with your character, descriptions help others to
visualize what you are thinking.
2.1.2 Grammar and Spelling
Regardless of what language you are writing in, choppy paragraphs
and badly constructed sentences make your writing hard for other
people to read. They are also prone to never read your posts if
they continually cannot decipher what you read. Most e-mail composers and document making programs
have a spellchecker, so please use it.
2.1.3 Point of View
Always write in third-person, present tense. Say "he does",
"she has", and "it is". Avoid first person like
the plague; never write your narration with "I did this"
and "I did that". Also, for things that someone can
interrupt, like in combat or exiting a room, state "he begins to exit the
room" or "he heads to the door to leave."
2.1.4 Avoid Bad Posts
There are several different types of posts to be wary of. Each has
its own problems:
2.1.4.1 Non-Game-Related
Messages
If you feel you've got to say something to the people on the list
use “OOC” in the subject header to indicate such things.
2.1.4.2 Rambling Messages
That Say Nothing
These messages are usually five miles of irrelevant quotes and old
text followed by three lines of new text. This is not only impolite,
its incredibly annoying. It borders on spamming... and for the
record, spamming will get you banned from playing. Its usually a
good idea to quote the message you are replying to in your new
response, but only quote applicable text.
2.1.4.3 Messages From The
Willingly Oblivious
These messages come about when one player totally ignores something
posted by someone else, be it another player or the Storyteller. If
you don't like something that's been posted, you are NOT allowed to
just ignore it and move on... especially if it came from the
Storyteller. Feel free to voice your objection to the Storyteller,
in a private message.
2.1.4.4 Super-Hero Syndrome
Though this is a super hero game, the characters do have limits.
Basically a post of this sort involves your character doing things
he simply isn't capable of doing, and not responding correctly to
his weaknesses. The best example would be a character who should be
hobbling around in pain after being grievously wounded, but instead
is prancing around like he was Errol Flynn in Captain Blood.
2.1.4.5 Flames
Now, when I say flames, I don't just mean two player characters
hurling insults at each other. That's entirely permissible, as it's
IC (In-Character). There are two types of Flames – The first is
the dirty trick known as the In-Character Flame War. In such a flame
fest, two or more players will use their characters to fight each
other over problems they are having in real life. You can tell this
is going on when two characters who have no reason to be hostile to
each other suddenly start fighting. Not good. It screws up the
Storyteller's storylines and annoys the hell out of everyone else.
The second is the OOC Flame War, in which people directly begin to
start nasty arguments. Also not good.
2.1.4.6 Assassin Posts
To put it simply, do not kill, seriously maim, or otherwise destroy
another character without both a good cause in the story, and
the express permission of the Storyteller. Killing other PCs (or
even important NPCs) off because you can without a good story reason
is a great way to get booted from the game. “Because I am edgy and
gritty” is not a good story reason.
2.1.4.7 Plot Changers
Do not post a message which drastically change the plotline the game
follows. The Storyteller is there for a reason, after all, and it's
his game, not yours. If you have a good idea for a plotline, contact
the Storyteller.
When Presenting Dialog, Use The Correct Encapsulating Characters To Help Identify How The Dialog Is Being Heard By Others. The correct dialog conventions are as follows:
"Use quotation marks here," the speaker said aloud. | |
<<Double angled brackets are an indication of a foreign language being spoken,>> said a voice in perfectly accented Vordanian. | |
::Typed text, such as that appearing in a book or in a tome, should appear in double colons::, the hero read. | |
*Asterixes are used here* the man thought to himself. | |
{Squiggly brackets are used here}, came the mysterious telepathic voice in your head. |
2.1.6 The Storyteller's Word
Is Law
The Storyteller is always willing to listen to opposing opinions,
but never, ever present your opposing opinion to them on the game's
mailing list. Send it privately. And if the Storyteller ever says
something along the lines as "my decision stands", let the
issue go. I mean it, let it drop. Continuing to argue after I have
reached a decision is not a smart thing to do.
2.1.7 Be Heard, But Don't
Shout Others Down
If you're naturally quiet, try to post often enough to at least be
recognized as being around. If you're a big talker, be silent once
in a while and let someone else get a word in edgewise.
2.1.8 Avoid Time Crunches
Basically, this means reply to a new move in a timely fashion. Sure,
sometimes it's impossible, but at least make the effort. It also
means avoid spiraling timescales. It is rare that an action CAN and
MUST take place at such and such a time and no later. If you can do
something later and thereby avoid wedging in an unnecessary action
now, you'll be the Storyteller's friend for life. The game cannot
move forward if everyone is always trying to get the last word in.
Don't do this if you can help it.
2.1.9 Treat These Games As If
They Were Games
No one is going to come up with a cure for cancer while typing away
at these stories... and these stories don't promote world peace.
They're just games. This actually has three meanings:
First, it means never forget that your life isn't changed just because your character gets reamed. | |
Second, remember that your actions can either contribute to the group enjoyment or take away from it. It's up to you whether or not you have fun. | |
Third, if your real life is interfering in your game play, see to your real life first. |
2.1.10 The Rule of the
Storyteller
If You Become A Problem, You Will Be Removed. If your posts
are constantly unclear and hard to understand/follow, you will be
removed. It's not
that hard.
This has nothing to do with what your character does with the other characters - that should be whatever it takes to keep him or her in character. It involves other real people and whether or not they're enjoying the game with you in it. Be considerate and polite whenever possible. Remember.... If You Become A Problem, in any manner, You Will Be Removed.
2.2.0 Header Syntax
Indicate Location, time and date in Header. post them in Bold.
2.2.1 Threads
Follow rules above and declare OOC (Out Of Character) what you are Intending
to do. Do not assume automatic success. You never know what the ST
has lurking around the corner or behind that door.
2.3.0 Body
The body of the post contains all actions that the character wishes
to accomplish. Since the characters in most cases will be larger
than life, the player is allowed to assume his victory except when
in conflict with another Nova, metahuman, or supernatural, but
remember that adversity brings progress, so at times you may wish to
let a baseline (unaltered human) win over your character.
Role-playing will be watched, so if you post a perfect character,
remember that you may get you an "earning of the rights"
at the hands of the Storyteller by way of an INTERVENTION. During an
INTERVENTION, the players may not assume victory, but must post what
they wish to do, and the Storyteller will adjudicate the outcome
once all players in that particular scene have stated their actions.
2.3.1 Location of Action
Begin the body section of the post with LOCATION: [location] to
indicate the geographic location where this post is occurring.
2.3.2 Indication of Action
To make the posts uniform and easier to follow, the following
conventions will be in use. They are not mandatory, but they are
suggested. Indicate the post that you are responding to, by putting
[old] before it, and your part by putting [new] before it. If there
are several participants, use the name instead, and if you reference
an older post (i.e. not in immediate chronological order, but for
general reference) put [older] in front of that section.
2.4.0 Footer Syntax
While at the end of the post, the footers are no less important for
indication of planned flow of the story, or to indicate OOC comments
that will affect the flow of the story, thus must be included in the
post.
2.4.2 OOC Direction
All posts by characters should be in character, from dialog to
combat, using only in character knowledge and abilities. To indicate
additional direction, include it in the OOC portion of the footer.
Example Post:
Header:include location
Body:
Location: Night City Grand Auditorium
[Core] player name
Roaring in anger more than pain, Core rockets a backhand at Nightfall,
attempting to smash the annoyances skull with his powerful hand.
[Storyteller]
Core connects with a
glancing strike, but Nightfall recovers dropping to the ground in
a defensive stance, shaking off the hit.
[new]
Breathing heavily, Nightfall
looks at Core, glowing in the dim light of the arena. ~He's grown
too powerful. And I'm running out of juice. It's now or never.~
Nightfall leaps toward Core, executing a perfect leaping crescent kick aimed at his head. "End of the line Core. I'm taking you down!"
<<OOC>>at bottom of post: Nightfall is not actually trying for a head kick. He is feinting, so the kick to the head will actually be aimed towards his side. On a hit, nightfall will release his darkforce attack full force into Core's side. If Nightfall notices Rose sneaking up, he will abort his attack to attempt to flee.
3.0.0 Characters
Now the part we have been waiting on. Character creation. The rules
will be a bit different than normal to allow for the PBEM concept.
Each player is allowed one character to begin with. The character
can have erupted anywhere from 1 months to a 9 months ago.
3.1.0 Concepts
The first step is to visualize a concept for your character. E-mail
your character ideas to me, and you can even make a draft if you are
really itching to, though it may have to change. If you decide to
make an actual draft, use 40 Nova Points. But more important is your
human background, and an in character bit about what you would do
with the power to shape humanity.
4.0.0 Conflicts
During the course of play, conflicts are inevitable. "Without
struggle there is no progress." If a conflict occurs between a
Nova and a baseline, the Nova can assume a win, though for plot
purposes you may want to lose; an invincible character is boring,
and can call the attention of the Storyteller in an unfavorable
light. If a conflict occurs between two Novas, or in the case of an
INTERVENTION post, the conflict rules below will apply.
4.1.0 Combat
Always remember that in conflicts, success is not assured.
Therefore, there are rules to determine posts that have a chance of
failure.
4.1.1 Hitting
The active player should post his moves and then an OOC
statement about what he is trying to accomplish if this is not
obvious. Then, in the case of a PC vs. PC combat, the other PC will
be given an opportunity to post his defensive actions. The storyteller will perform all dice rolling,
and post a bit describing the outcome. Then it goes on with
another turn. In the case of NPC vs. PC, the storyteller will post
an attack for the NPC then the PC can respond then the result post
will be sent, or if the PC is the active person, the result and the
NPC's action will be posted at the same time. Descriptive posts are
encouraged, and even during combat, role-playing will be rewarded.
4.1.2 Damage
If a character gets hit, it is probably he will take damage. This
damage will be described, not given in absolute numbers. If
a character is a medical prodigy or has some way to keep up with
their exact health, then and only then will the storyteller tell him
what wound level he is down to. Diagnosis out of combat will do the
same thing.
4.2.0 Non-Combat
Out of combat, once again, a Nova can assume victory over a baseline
character. Only during a moderated thread or in the case of a
conflict between two Novas will these conflicts be directed. Note
that if the Nova has bid down the active attribute, then in the case
of using that attribute he will never be able to take advantage of
the Nova's certainty of success.
An example of a bad post:
I look around to see who is close by. Then I jump over the rail and kick the brick on the ground in front of me towards the first criminal, hitting him in the head. As he falls to the ground, I race to the second opponent, handily disarming him with a chop to his weapon hand as I break his leg will a well placed kick.
This post assumes the success of the character, and is written in first-person present tense. The following post shows a corrected version of the above:
Patriot glanced around, looking to see if anyone was close to him. After taking assessment of the scene, he jumped over the rail. Even as he landed, Patriot's foot lashed out at a convenient brick, kicking it in an arc towards the first criminal's head. Without waiting to see the results of the kick, Patriot races towards his second opponent, chopping his hand towards the man's weapon hand with the intent to disarm him as he simultaneously kicks the criminal's leg, aiming to break it.
Not that the second post does not conclusively state the results of the attack, and is posted in third-person past tense, though otherwise it is the same. If an action depends on the success or failure of another action, the player can also post conditional actions. For example, the post above could have read as follows:
Patriot glanced around, looking to see if anyone was close to him. After taking assessment of the scene, he jumped over the rail. Even as he landed, Patriot's foot lashed out at a convenient brick, kicking it in an arc towards the first criminal's head.
OOC- If the criminal is disabled, then:
IC: Patriot races towards his second opponent, chopping his hand towards the man's weapon hand with the intent to disarm him as he simultaneously kicks the criminal's leg, aiming to break it.
OOC- Else:
IC: Patriot used the brick as a distraction as he raced behind it in a flying kick, aimed at the man's chest.
One other thing to note from the post. If the Storyteller does not explicitly state that a minor object is not in the scene, the player can assume that his character comes across that object as needed, i.e. the brick in the scene. However the player could not assume that Patriot found a pistol conveniently lying on the ground.
|
|
Sun Jun 25, 2023 7:17 am by Narrator
» The City; Game discussion
Tue Jun 16, 2015 11:24 am by Narrator
» House Rathien and the Paramandic Oath
Sun Jun 14, 2015 2:00 pm by Narrator
» Divine Code
Sun Jun 14, 2015 1:55 pm by Narrator
» Happiness
Sun Jun 14, 2015 1:45 pm by Narrator
» Freedom at Last
Thu Jun 11, 2015 7:27 am by Narrator
» Gear
Thu May 21, 2015 11:44 am by Narrator
» Role Call
Mon May 04, 2015 12:27 pm by Elridge Cleaver
» vacation
Sun May 03, 2015 5:51 pm by Gavin Harrison