Play By Post

[Scopique]

I'm looking to start up a play by post RPG session over at Tavern-keeper.com if anyone is interested. We have at least three people, including Winin, and we're looking for maybe one or two more to round out the group.

Not quite sure what system or genre we'll be using, although Fate and Numenera are strong contenders because their limited dice-rolling-and-number-crunching nature (and low cost of entry) makes them well suited for PbP.

[Zeli]

The things you say interest me but I have no idea what this really is. I will google for information later because my boss keeps walking by my desk and repeated alt-tabbing is not the super slick move I once thought it was.

Meaning: I don't know what tavern-keeper is. I don't know what a play by post RPG is. <-- I want to know both of these things! My coworker and I attempted to do a D&D session through email for a while and my initial assumption is that it would be a similar experience.

[Scopique]

Yes! Very much so. Except instead of email, we use a website called Tavern-Keeper.com. Each player (or group of players, depending on who's present in the scene) gets their own thread for the back and forth between the GM and themselves. When players merge, they can be added to the thread or new threads can start to incorporate them. You'll only ever see threads you're a member of, so it allows each player to have their OWN adventure, at least for a time, tailored just for them. Partially solves the "you're a bunch of strangers at a tavern when someone offers you a job" syndrome of getting the party together.

PbP focuses more on the RP aspect and less on the tactical junk and mechanics. It's also good for people who would like to play, but who can't devote time during the week for a regularly schedule live play night. People can be as quick or as slow to respond as time allows.

So, kinda the "lazy player's RPG"

We're looking at Fate (www.faterpg.com) or Numenera (www.numenera.com) because both are light on the mechanics. Fate is just a set of rules and the setting is up to the group OR can use one of their pre-packaged worlds (Dresden Files, Secret of Cats, and others). Numenera has lore and a built in universe, but it's extremely flexible as it's a combo of sci-fi and fantasy (Earth a billion years from now, and discovery of ancient and long buried technology).

Both have very low cost to entry (Fate is a Donationware PDF, and Numenera player's guide is only $8 for a PDF), and since it's all online, there's no fancy dice or anything else to buy.

[Zeli]

That sounds really fun and something I'd love to do, but unfortunately I'm not sure I could commit to a regular thing.