Play by Post - Rules, Templates, and Suggestions - READ FIRST

[Kaimuund]

Your character has 3 ways to interact with the world:

1. In person games (these include online games, simply put, these are in real time with a storyteller)
2. Downtimes - solo side events and activities
3. Scenes - these are play by post encounters for multiple PC's to work together

Scenes should be limited to no more than 3 PC's per scene. Most scenes will be assigned players, and may have open seats if you want to add your character to the scene. It is your responsibility to determine how to add your character to a scene. You can reach out to me (Ben R) if you want some help. More than 3 players in a scene makes it take too long to move, often holds it up because 1 player is less responsive, and generally takes forever to complete. Nobody got time for that.

Each Scene will begin with a Scene Setting Post.
Scene Setting Posts determine the time, location, and current event that is taking place in the scene. It also details WHO is currently in the scene, and what is going on with those characters. Once established, each character in the Scene can make a post about what their character is doing. See the Template for this post. Please wait after doing a post for either reactions, or for other players to post their character set up. If there is a long wait, I will bump it and let the players know they can go again.

Most scenes will be limited to 3 interactions per player character. If you are having a conversation, this may be increased. this is to limit the scenes length, as they are supposed to a single scene, and to limit the value as a player shouldn't be able to milk a scene indefinitely.

Scenes often require dice rolls. See the template. Sometimes these are against other players. NOTE: PVP is only allowed in in-person games, and then only under special circumstances. Against other players you can use social rolls, powers, and other actions. I'll step in if it is too aggressive. If you have the other player's permission, you can take any action you want against them, for example if you have a duel between to vampires for a territory, or a duel arcane between two mages for practice or over a Hollow or other unclaimed magical thingy.

Players in Scenes will be tagged for those Scenes to help keep them informed. I will also do my best to communicate on the group chat with updates.

FAQ

Who Makes Scene Setting Posts? Only narrators and storytellers can make new scenes. If you want to start a scene, message a narrator or storyteller (generally me). I am usually good with making a new scene, but some instances might elicit a special 1 on 1 or 1 with 2 game, or might be better used as a downtime. This are not free extra downtimes and need to include more than 1 PC.

When Can I Put My First Post in a Scene? If you are included in a scene at the start, you can put it right away. If you are not and want to join a scene, put a Join Scene post as soon as you can. You will then, if everyone's cool, be able to post after the main players involved. - see template. This isn't going to be heavily enforced. We're grown ups, do posts and have fun.

How do I know when a Scene is done? I'll close a scene down when it has either petered out, been dormant too long, or the main goal has been accomplished. Scenes can provide beats, but usually require some kind of special case. Usually they are more about small groups meeting up, discussing in character something, investigating together, going somewhere together, slice of life stories for developing setting and characters, meeting npcs, special evenings that provide multiple chances for interaction (dinner parties), or special scenes for only one group of supernatural (Vampire court meeting, Elysium, Consilium meeting, Cabal meeting, etc)

Can I attack someone in a scene? Yes, as long as they are not a PC, unless you have that PC's express permission. This is usually handled with Down and Dirty Combat (ie. 1 roll to determine the combat result)

Can something attack me in a scene? Yes, and it will usually be handled with Down and Dirty Combat, ie. 1 roll per character to determine the combat outcome. You can appeal the outcome, and have a discussion with me if you think it is off. Sometimes I try to answer these in between doing things and make mistakes. I'll do my best!

How much Mana or Vitae do I begin a Scene with?
Mage Characters begin scenes with HALF their Wisdom trait rounded up in Mana. They add the dots they have in Hollow to this starting amount. They can also add HALF their Prime Arcana, rounded up. If your character prepared for the Scene, such as with a downtime, this may be different. mages tend to use Mana here and there, with fewer opportunities to refill than Vampires, and with more difficult access. Their may be other merits, effects, or conditions that allow you to start with more Mana for Scenes and games.
Vampire characters start with their Humanity in Vitae. They can add their Herd rating to this amount. Low humanity vampires tend to spend vitae more often, and have a harder time with casual light feeding due to their monstrous nature. Ordo Dracul vampires may also get a bonus from their Coils. As above, preparing for a Scene with a downtime or other action may increase your available resources.

[Kaimuund]

Scene Setting Post template

Name of Scene

Date: [Real Life Start] -- In game
Location: Where the Scene is taking place
Player Characters Present: Starting PC's in the scene
Open Spots: How many PC's can join the scene

NPCs Present: Major NPC's present. Their might also be undisclosed background characters. I will try and mention these.

Current Scenario: Summary of what is happening

Suggested Dice Pools: Some suggested dice pools for the scene

End Trigger: What outcome will end the scene

Opener: Descriptive opening paragraph to Set the Scene and begin play - the same as an intro by a storyteller to begin an in-person scene before asking what each player is doing.

[Kaimuund]

Scene Response Template

Character Name

Dice Pool: put the most the Attribute and Skill you want to rely on during your action
Action: What main action is your character doing in the scene. This could be carousing, listening to chatter, talking to a specific person, asking specific questions, following someone, feeding on someone, attacking a specific thing, running away, etc. try to limit each response to 1 primary action type

Health: note your health - use / for bashing, X for lethal, and * for aggravated like so
Health: 8 // X * for a character with 8 max health boxs, and 2 levels of bashing, 1 level of lethal, and 1 level of aggravated.
Mana/Vitae: put your current total available.
Willpower: put your current total available
Conditions: If you have any relevant conditions, you can put them here.

Description:

Describe your action. If you are saying something, you can do it like so:

Mire looked at the Carthians, disgusted by their attire. Must every vampire wear the same damn long coat? A hunter could probably just start shooting people with long black trench coats and 9 times out of 10 they'll be hitting a vampire. He thought to himself. Smirking, he looked over their way, keeping his feet up on the table and hands behind his head, trying to look relaxed in the obviously stressful situation to put them off guard.

"Do you two have a reason for being here? This isn't Carthian territory. You're aware of how territory works, right?"

Mire is trying to intimidate the Carthians into either cowing or leaving, as he can barely stand their presence and knows that the older Crones do not appreciate trespassers.

You could also hit something:

Mire draws his pistol, a basic 9 mm, and lights up the thing heaving and growling. He wants to empty as many bullets into it as possible to weaken it before it comes at him. [for this, you would list Dexterity + firearms above, with your dice pool and which weapon - see the example Scene posts for more information].

[Kaimuund]

Scene Close Template - I'll add this to the last post before locking the sub. This will officially close out the scene and provide rewards, penalties, conditions, and XP.

CLOSED SCENE

Closer: This will be a short description of how the scenes ends.

XP and Results: This will be the benefits or final results for the PC's from the scene. If they received damage, it will be noted with how to heal it, or what conditions the character will have for their next activity. Any XP awarded will be marked here in the SCENE CLOSER.

Possible Next Steps: I will list any follow ups or next actions players may want to take here. This may be left blank if it is obvious or there aren't any pertinent follow ups.